A Wren Says

Okay, this my final reflection on the Van Cleef and Arpels drama. I just have this last thing to say. A key issue in this story is that this entire story is ridiculous, given the price of the bracelet. As mangomoniica tells her story, it is revealed that her Alhambra bracelet started to tarnish after 2 months. When she returns to the boutique, the associate asks her what she has been doing with the bracelet. Has she been applying any lotion or creams? Any perfume? Any swimming pools? The comment section chimes in; for $6000 that bracelet should clasp itself. At that price, I should be able to go swimming, spray as many fragrances as I want, and no issues. Yes, the bracelet is expensive, but that is not how this works. The cost of your item does not necessarily equate to its durability. In some cases, it means the item will be more fragile.

Cost is set on a curve of how long your materials will last you. No, it’s set by a marketing team, based on their beliefs about supply and demand, materials, business needs, etc. There are some cases where as you go up in price, things will last longer due to better construction and materials. For example, some paper products will be sturdier at higher prices. However, the cost of your item does not necessarily equate to its durability. In some cases, it means the item will be more fragile.

In the case of gold, as it gets more expensive, it gets softer. Higher karats of gold are purer, which raises the price, but it also means that they are more likely to be scratched. Fragrances, chlorine, and oils can interact with the alloys used to make the gold. Some gemstones are more expensive because they are rarer or harder to source, but they will break easily or be stained easily by sweat and water. There is a reason why these are called precious metals and stones. Treat them preciously.

When you are looking to buy an expensive item, remember that its price alone is not an indicator that the item will be more indestructible. It is however and indicator of a brands marketing strategy (among other things).

Personally, the more money I spend on an item, the more likely I am to baby it. But that’s just me. What your thoughts the drama?