# Women with big stones - Are big, flashy gemstones in jewelry in poor taste of not? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 7, 2010, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803 "2010-07-07T01:18:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/1 "2010-07-07T01:18:47Z")
I’m watching QVC as I surf, and I’m stunned by the sheer size of some of the gemstones in rings, pendants, bracelets etc. they are hawking. I’ve always had the notion in the back of my mind that smaller jewels and settings were more tasteful, but they don’t seem to have any trouble selling these rocks. Is this ignorant prejudice? Are big(er) gems usually in poor taste or not relative to smaller pieces? ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/2 "2010-07-07T01:21:07Z")
> [@](#): > > Women with big stones [Sometimes, it takes balls to be a woman.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGkArY4AcUI) (youtube link) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nightingale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@Nightingale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightingale)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/3 "2010-07-07T01:34:34Z")
Generally, I’d say that ONE large stone or flashy setting is ok worn as a statement piece if the other jewellry is smaller and more subdued. Wearing a whole bunch of enormous pieces together tends toward the tacky. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/4 "2010-07-07T01:34:43Z")
Yes. Always. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/5 "2010-07-07T01:56:06Z")
Well, first of all, taste is subjective. One person’s elegant gemstone is another’s gaudy bauble. Beyond that, it depends on current fashion, the occasion, and your personal style. Earrings that were considered standard in the 80’s are generally now considered to be hideously large – but at some point that will change again. Recent instances in which large gemstones have received a lot of attention (and generated many imitations), include [Angelina Jolie’s emerald earrings](http://www.shoppingblog.com/pics/oscars09_angelinajolie_earring.jpg); [Nancy Pelosi’s South Sea pearls](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/the-caucus-top-10-gifts-for-politics-geeks/) (I own a copy); and much of the jewelry worn in the Sex and the City movies. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/6 "2010-07-07T02:11:37Z")
I’m with **Nightingale** : one can make a statement. More or very busy/glitzy pieces start moving toward the tacky end of the spectrum. Both of the examples that **SpoilerVirgin** linked to have simple, clean lines and seem to function as the “statement” piece that **Nightingale** talks about. To me, they look elegant because they’re not competing with other jewelry. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/7 "2010-07-07T02:41:26Z")
Depends on the piece of jewelry itself, and where you’re wearing it. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/8 "2010-07-07T03:22:18Z")
The older I get the less I care what other people think of what I wear. If I want to wear a flashy bling piece I will. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/9 "2010-07-07T03:24:07Z")
Yeah, on the whole I’d say if you’ve got it flaunt it, but the classic advice is to look in the mirror before you leave the house and take something off. There’s nothing wrong with big stones, but they’re accessories like anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/10 "2010-07-07T03:27:44Z")
Big, flashy anything tends to make me lose interest. Whether that’s a desired response is another question. ---
**Author:** ![valleyofthedolls](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a4c791/32.png) [@valleyofthedolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/valleyofthedolls)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/11 "2010-07-07T05:16:01Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > Recent instances in which large gemstones have received a lot of attention (and generated many imitations), include [Angelina Jolie’s emerald earrings](http://www.shoppingblog.com/pics/oscars09_angelinajolie_earring.jpg); [Nancy Pelosi’s South Sea pearls](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/the-caucus-top-10-gifts-for-politics-geeks/) (I own a copy); and much of the jewelry worn in the Sex and the City movies. Those emerald earrings are spectacular. It’s really less about the size of the gemstone and more about what kind of setting is used. Ginormous stone with a minimal setting are always going to be better than a smaller stone in a blinged out setting (IMHO). There’s an apocryphal story concerning a conversation between Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Margaret. Setting: Large Party Players: Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Margaret Action: Elizabeth Taylor, wearing the Krupp diamond, is introduced to Princess Margaret. Princess Margaret: (pointing to Krupp diamond) That’s so vulgar. Elizabeth Taylor: Would you like to try it on? Princess Margaret: Yes, please! Princess Margaret puts on the ring and admires it. Elizabeth Taylor: Not so vulgar now, is it? ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/12 "2010-07-07T05:29:13Z")
Another vote for **Nightengale** ’s advice. I’ve seen just a few women who have the oomph to carry off a few large pieces. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/13 "2010-07-07T06:01:59Z")
The problem with jewelry is people don’t forget, jewelry is a means to accentuate your face. It’s not an end to itself. If you have a big nose or big ears, you want to wear smaller jewelry to de-emphasize this. Or if they’re too small you want to go bigger. An earring can look fine on one person and stupid on another depending on a lot of things. Size of head, shape of face, and the list goes on. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/14 "2010-07-07T06:07:35Z")
Angelina Jolie would look good in just about anything. I think that the key is to show up the gal pals a bit, but not way over the top. So it depends on the crowd you are running around with. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/15 "2010-07-07T06:12:30Z")
I’m a big fan of a one-off cocktail ring myself (often using semi-precious stones so the value is lower). Here’s (IMO) [one of the most classy women on the planet](http://monichika2.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/article-1021690-015f434b00000578-508_306x423.jpg) wearing one - if she’s OK with it so am I. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/16 "2010-07-07T12:20:23Z")
I think a large statement piece is lovely. I think if you’re wearing 20 large statement pieces, it’s not clear what you’re trying to say. ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/17 "2010-07-07T13:06:21Z")
I also think that one large piece is good, more than that and it’s just distracting. I love large jewelry myself, but if I wear a big pendant I won’t wear anything else around my face aside from tiny stud earrings. Or today I’m wearing long, dangly, big earrings, so I’m not wearing a necklace at all. I’m not even sure I’d call it tacky to wear several pieces of big jewelry (unless you’re wearing it for the sole purpose of showing off), but I don’t think it looks good, either. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/18 "2010-07-07T13:49:17Z")
I think it boils down to the size and shape of your features. I’ll wear big pendants sometimes, but that’s it. My fingers are pretty small and delicate (size 4 ring) so big rings usually look silly on me, to the point where I look like I’m playing dress up in mommy’s jewelry. And of course, you should always follow the rule of one flashy piece at a time. Same goes for clothes, really. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/19 "2010-07-07T14:12:09Z")
What is your idea of a big gemstone? I think that this is[tasteful](http://missfath.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/blue-diamond-rings.jpg)and the [top one in this picture](http://www.jewelry-all.com/images/diamond%20ring%20white%20round.jpg)is probably not. ---
**Author:** ![Gruntled](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/34f0e0/32.png) [@Gruntled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gruntled)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803/20 "2010-07-07T14:44:49Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I think a large statement piece is lovely. What exactly is the statement? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-with-big-stones-are-big-flashy-gemstones-in-jewelry-in-poor-taste-of-not/545803.md?page=2)