# Is this pretty? HELP!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 12, 2000, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135 "2000-12-12T03:41:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DocDaneeka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c68b51/32.png) [@DocDaneeka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocDaneeka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/1 "2000-12-12T03:41:26Z")
I hate Christmas. I hate buying Christmas presents. I love giving them, but I hate buying them. Especially jewelry. I wanna buy some nice jewelry for my GF. But, since I have the aesthetic taste of a braindead, rabid moose, I ask the SDMB: [Is this pretty?](http://images.honesty.com/imagedata/1/3/8/17735138.jpg) It’s opal and emerald (her birthstone) and I like it. If it’s god-awful, any ideas for me? Sorry for the stupid thread, but I’m desperate. Thanks folks ---
**Author:** ![Peculiar\_Pixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/779978/32.png) [@Peculiar\_Pixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peculiar_Pixie)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/2 "2000-12-12T03:46:43Z")
It’s beautiful. The more important question is; Is it her style? Does she have a dress or an outfit that would go with it perfectly? If you can think of anything, and you say; “I thought this would go great with your( beautiful eyes/grey dress/pearlescent skin)”, you will score MAJOR chick points. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/3 "2000-12-12T03:48:44Z")
My ex always said I had excellent taste in jewelry so: I like it, the emerald is a little dark but it could be the lighting. The opal is a wonderful stone AFAICS. I really like opals with lots of deep blue in them The stones look nice enough that even if down the line she decided she didn’t like the setting, they could easily be put into another setting more to her liking YMMV of course, but I always look at the stones- that is what you are apying for mostly ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/4 "2000-12-12T03:50:18Z")
Uh…sorry, but I don’t like it at all. The opal is pretty, but I don’t like the settings or the combo with the emerald. Sorry, but you asked. I don’t have any suggestions for websites, especially those with jewelery, but I do have a couple of suggestions about buying gifts: What does she buy for other people? Usually we buy others things we like. What does she admire when you go shopping? Take her by some stores, man, and see what catches her eye. And remember, it really is the thought that counts. good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Wicked\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/2acd7d/32.png) [@Wicked\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wicked_Blue)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/5 "2000-12-12T04:00:23Z")
I think it’s pretty. ---
**Author:** ![DocDaneeka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c68b51/32.png) [@DocDaneeka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocDaneeka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/6 "2000-12-12T04:13:38Z")
Thanks for the responses. Peculiar Pixie: Well, I really have trouble with matching colors and styles and such. I’ve seen her wear jewelry that I would deem similar. On the other hand, she might not feel the same. \ I’m lucky when my socks match. I think I’ll go through her closet and take a look though. “Major chick points” would be good 🙂 MikeG: Yeah, I thought the stones were pretty nice. I’ve always liked opals, and with emerald as her birthstone I figured it would be all right. Brynda: Not hurting my feelings. I appreciate you telling me your opinion. If EVERYONE said they liked it, I’d be suspicious… Anyway, those are good tips on how to find a gift. She’s an odd one though, when it comes to that sort of thing. For example, for my birthday she gave me a Harem Xena doll. Huh? \. Blue Twylight: Thanks, I thought so too. ---
**Author:** ![DocDaneeka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c68b51/32.png) [@DocDaneeka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocDaneeka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/7 "2000-12-12T09:42:32Z")
If anyone cares, I bid on this on Ebay and won it. I was the only bidder. I don’t know if that’s a good sign or not. Anyway, I hope she likes it and I hope I wasn’t ripped off. Thanks for your input. BTW, this isn’t the ONLY gift she’s receiving from me, just the prettiest. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/8 "2000-12-12T15:25:15Z")
Since you already bought it, I hope she likes it–FWIW, I think it’s pretty. In the future, if you find yourself wanting to purchase more jewelry for her, I second Brynda’s suggestion: go shopping with her and take note of what she admires in the stores or window displays. I can tell you from personal experience and that of my sister and friends, there is little more touching than to get as a gift something you admired in a shop window. It shows that your fella was _paying attention_ and _remembered_–two very, very important things in the chick universe. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/9 "2000-12-12T16:02:10Z")
Well, maybe it’s just my age showing (40-something), but I would think that she’d like it, tiny esthetic quibbles aside (it’s possible that the photo doesn’t do it justice–opals are impossible to photograph properly). **Doc,** _any_ jewelry makes a lovely gift, as long as it’s real jewelry, not a Wal-Mart $14.99 10k gold/cubic zirconia tennis bracelet. And, as someone already pointed out, with real jewelry, if she doesn’t like the setting she can always have it re-done. But now, I sure hope I don’t see you two on Judge Judy someday, bickering over who gets custody of this thing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Uniball](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Uniball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniball)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/10 "2000-12-12T16:04:52Z")
**EEEW!! MY EYES!! MY EYEEESSSS!!!** No, seriously, it’s pretty. Old-fashioned, for sure; but I like all things vintage. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/11 "2000-12-12T16:10:40Z")
Ooooh, pretty. Take the ladies’ advice. If anyone can help, it would be them. Brynda said" > [@](#): > > What does she buy for other people? Usually we buy others things we like. DocDaneeka said: > [@](#): > > For example, for my birthday she gave me a Harem Xena doll. Huh? \. Hmmmmmm. Speculate. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gravity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gravity/32/14322_2.png) [@Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gravity)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2000, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/12 "2000-12-12T16:29:54Z")
I think that it’s lovely! I love the simple style, it really showcases the gems. Is that a black opal? Yay! As far as I’m concerned, you’d get girlie points for that alone. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/13 "2000-12-13T00:52:24Z")
If you squint, it looks pretty sexy. The best way to buy jewelry for a woman is to match it to her eyes. So if she has blue eyes, you’d get a blue stone. Then you can say that you got it for her because it matches her eyes & then you get laid. ---
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/14 "2000-12-13T01:46:18Z")
**Duck Duck Goose** > [@](#): > > Doc, any jewelry makes a lovely gift, as long as it’s real jewelry, not a Wal-Mart $14.99 10k gold/cubic zirconia tennis bracelet. Son of a bitch. Well, at least I saved my receipt. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/15 "2000-12-13T01:57:31Z")
opals are the best. a very pretty necklace. next up, wrapping it. the wrap is very important. there must be paper that is diffrent from the other gifts, and ribbon, and perhaps a mini something dangling from the bow; like a little ornament or pine thing. how the package looks is as important as what is on the inside for women. ---
**Author:** ![relic\_11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/50afbb/32.png) [@relic\_11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/relic_11)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/16 "2000-12-13T04:30:20Z")
Oohhh… Me like. Make that emerald a saphire and I’d die. ---
**Author:** ![DocDaneeka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c68b51/32.png) [@DocDaneeka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocDaneeka)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/17 "2000-12-13T04:30:42Z")
Hey, you guys are all great. I wasn’t expecting such nice responses with such great ideas. I should reply to each of you, but she’s in the next room and she’s gonna spy on me sooner or later and give away the surprise. Thanks for lifting some of my gift anxiety. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/18 "2000-12-13T16:25:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\* > The best way to buy jewelry for a woman is to match it to her eyes. So if she has blue eyes, you’d get a blue stone. > Then you can say that you got it for her because it matches her eyes & then you get laid. \*\* Damnit handy! He’s right, though. I fondly remember admiring some bauble once in a store window and the guy I was with said, in an offhand way, that it would be better with a blue topaz in it since that would match my eyes. I’ve been carrying that comment around in my heart for YEARS (and I’m sure I dropped my panties that night too) but now I just feel… gullible. LOL ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/19 "2000-12-13T17:36:17Z")
You can buy gems from their originating country for far less. I once bought a whole string of beautiful opals as pearls from HK direct. They were like $40.00. I also almost got a huge emerald from south america. I think it was a call to the Virgin Islands for the comp. that got their emeralds from SA. Huge ones, 1" wide & 7" high were like $100.00. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135/20 "2000-12-13T17:51:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Geobabe \* > \*\*Since you already bought it, I hope she likes it–FWIW, I think it’s pretty. In the future, if you find yourself wanting to purchase more jewelry for her, I second Brynda’s suggestion: go shopping with her and take note of what she admires in the stores or window displays. > \*\* This is some advice that’s fraught with peril. You see some cool jewelry that you might want to give to your special someone. She sees engagement rings and starts generating expectations that you are _totally_ unaware of. Take my word for it, the dynamics resulting from the above situation are similar to driving down a bumpy road with a trunk full of nitro. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pretty-help/45135.md?page=2)