What do you do about keeping/returning jewelery from DH?

I don't get jewelry very often from my hubby, only twice in our marriage, but both times I was thrilled with it because I did a wish list at an online jewelry store and he just bought from that list. I had no idea it was coming, so it was still a surprise. He is really out of his element in a jewelry store, so he liked shopping online because they just mailed it to his office.

I don't get jewelry very often from my hubby, only twice in our marriage, but both times I was thrilled with it because I did a wish list at an online jewelry store and he just bought from that list. I had no idea it was coming, so it was still a surprise. He is really out of his element in a jewelry store, so he liked shopping online because they just mailed it to his office.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I have some time to think about it as he is away for the weekend and will talk to him about it when he gets back.

BTW, the unfortunate thing is that I love, love, love David Yurman but these just weren't particular pieces that I love.

Do you have a jewelry store you frequent? I worked at an independent, family owned store in grad school and we had a wish book for our customers. The ladies would come in and either directly tell us what to put in it, or if they were in browsing and gushed over something, we'd write it down. The men loved it because they didn't have to guess and the ladies loved it because they got what they liked. Then there was this one hysterical older man who would come in and buy this one hideous brooch we had in the store that had been around since the late 1960s. We'd charge him whatever he told us for it (like $500 on one occasion and $2000 on another--sort of like the world's ugliest gift certificate) and his wife would come return it and pick out something she liked. It was a running gag with them. For one occasion, he did pick out a honking pair of diamond stud earrings to go in the box just to throw her off. :)

Your hubby is being sweet, and I see both sides--you don't want to hurt his feelings, but expensive jewelry you'll never wear or wear and think "Ugh, I wish this were X" is a waste. Ask him what he would do if you bought him a laptop that wasn't exactly what he wanted (or something equivalent--whatever gets him going--a TV, a drill...whatever!)--wouldn't he rather exchange it for the item he had his heart set on?

Anna
Mama to Gracie (9/16/03)

DH has done very well on these types of purchases but only because I either give really good hints, simply tell him or show him what I like or we shop together. He in the end usually goes and buys it on his own. He bought me a beautiful watch IHO DS birth. I had never seen this type of watch but it was perfect because I told him watches that I really liked just to get an idea. He did NOT have it engraved until he knew I loved it.

Same thing with my engagement ring, he picked it out but we looked together and I showed him what kind of setting I liked, etc.

In your particular situation, I would keep the bracelet just because he seems so upset about you NOT keeping it. In the future, you can show him things in passing of what you like/love and hopefully he will remember when he goes to buy you something. ;-)

[C99]

I agree w/memedee. It's just a THING. If it makes him happy to have you wear what he picked out for you, just suck it up and wear it.

My husband hasn't bought me a lot of jewelry since we've been together. I think he's picked out only 1 or 2 pieces himself; everything else was bought under the influence of a female relative or bought by a female relative to give to me. If he bought/picked him out himself, I will wear it as-is, without alterations or mention.