Is Fine Jewelry a Better Investment Than Luxury Handbags?

by Bola Sokunbi

If I were to rattle off a list of things many women can’t live without, it would probably include fine jewelry, luxury handbags and, of course, Netflix.
You certainly can’t go wrong with the first two.
The reality, however, is that you sometimes aren’t able to choose both at the same time.
If you did, your purse might have a literal breakdown. And you definitely don’t need to add any more drama to 2020!
So, if you had a fine jewelry and luxury handbags face-off, what would you do? Would you put your money on the pearls or grab a chic Chanel handbag? Are you a bag lover or jewelry aficionado?

Photo Credit: @sheikhamozafashion

Photo Credit: @chanel_we_love

Still unsure?

Here are a few tips to help you decide!

Social Experiences

Even though we’ve all been homebound for the greater part of 2020, there have been some unique opportunities to be out and about – masked – and ready to mix and mingle (from a distance).
We saw many backyard weddings take place this summer, socially-distanced graduations, and restaurants offering outdoor seating.

Whatever the occasion, the opportunities to go out have been fewer and further between.
It’s therefore only logical to invest in a piece you know without a doubt you will use.
The best investment in this case boils down to your social experiences. If you’re out and about a lot, a luxe handbag might make sense; however, if you’re home for the great majority, a piece of jewelry you can wear daily might be more natural.

Winner: Toss-up

Photo Credit: @iamrenatabarros

Photo Credit: @vancleefarpels

Durability

If you’re buying statement pieces to keep for a lifetime, you’ve got to consider how long the items will last.

Bags are vulnerable to different factors – friction from rubbing against clothing, care when sitting in a car, how they are stored when you’re now at home.

Jewelry on the other hand is different. While it can be subject to the elements, it’s way more durable.

Whatever the case, you’ll want to keep items fresh and timeless and, in my opinion, it’s so much easier to do so with jewelry than with bags that are vulnerable to wear and tear.

Winner: Fine Jewelry

Photo Credit: @cartier

Utility

Imagine a scenario where you’re splurging on yourself to celebrate a notable accomplishment. You’ve worked hard at something, poured some serious blood and sweat into it and you’re ready to celebrate!

Do you go with something you’ll use every few weeks or something you can potentially see every day?

When considering investing in jewelry or a bag to celebrate a milestone, it would be awesome to have something you could see on your body every single day.

Jewelry always works for celebrating big milestones – whether it’s hitting relationship goals or celebrating success. It’s sentimental and is almost guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

So go ahead and get your shimmery Audemars Piguet.

Winner: Fine Jewelry

Photo Credit: @vancleefarpels

Resale Value

More often than not, when you treat yourself to a high-end item, you’re not buying to resell. However, sometimes people just realize that they’re just not using something as much as they thought they would.

If that’s the case, reselling makes perfect sense and can help you recoup some of your initial investment.

However, the truth must be said. No matter what the item is – whether it’s that necklace from Tiffany’s or the Hermes’ crossbody – neither is going to make you money in the same way an investment would.

Investments grow the money you put in them. A ring or a purse likely won’t. Instead, they will give you a chunk of change that might be lower than what you paid upfront. And that’s not a bad thing at all!

The question then becomes, which of the two will give you more bang for your buck?

It’s truly hard to say. Depending on how well you take care of each item, you could resell and get a big portion of your money back. The more important thing is to make sure you’re staying within your budget.

If you do think you might want to resell the item in the future, take extra pristine care of it.

Winner: Toss-up

Photo Credit: @upcloseandstylish

Photo Credit: @harrywinston

Novelty

When it comes to novelty, bags win hands down. Designers are constantly coming up with the next best thing for the coming season. Jewelers on the other hand, have more breathing room.

If a bag designer comes out with a limited release handbag, one could argue that it would be a worthy investment. If you miss the release, you’ll be stuck with buying it second hand once all the buzz and excitement have died down.

Jewelry on the other hand tends to cycle out slower.

Winner: Luxury handbags

Photo Credit: @iamrenatabarros

Cost per Wear

It’s also a good idea to keep your cost per wear in mind as you make your decision. If you plan to wear this jewelry every day as your go-to piece. for instance, a pair of diamond studs, then it might be a no brainer for you to decide to purchase the earrings over a handbag you might only use for special occasions.

On the other hand, if you need a daily handbag but have a statement piece of jewelry on your list, you might opt to buy the hand bag first based on your need and plan for the jewelry piece later!

Winner: Toss-up

Photo Credit: @graff

Photo Credit: @dawnpdarnell

Conclusion

Whatever you choose to invest in, know that you can’t go wrong! The key is to pick something you’ll forever enjoy using and make the most of it.

Fine jewelry, if the right pieces are purchased, are low maintenance and can last forever, they don’t go out of style unless you get bored with it!

Handbags are a girl’s joy; they make a statement and are the ultimate accessory but have wear and tear if not taken care of.

If you’re still undecided, focus on choosing what you love – and not what’s trending. Remaining true to yourself is what matters most!

About the Contributor:

Bola Sokunbi is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), finance expert, author, speaker, and founder of Clever Girl Finance, a financial education platform and community for women empowering them to achieve financial wellness and live life on their own terms. Today, Clever Girl Finance is one of the largest personal finance platforms for women in the U.S.