Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Product Review: Cluster Ring

Cluster Ring
Click here for product page
Item 14674
Regular: $65.00

I did not even realize that this ring comes in two versions ("fresh orange" & "black")! I thought it looked pretty in the catalog, but wasn't sure how it "worked" on one's hand. Thankfully, Sweetmint shared with us her great, detailed review (plus several real-life images) of this ring (in "black").

I was so excited to get the cluster ring today! It came in J.Crew's small silver box and was wrapped in bubble wrap within the box - a nice extra touch to keep it from getting scratched. I purchased the black version.

It has a large black stone, small black stone, guava stone, bronze stone, crystal stone, and fireball. The ring is heavy, but not too heavy in my opinion - just heavy enough to feel like it has a presence on my finger.

The base of the ring (under the beads) is one solid shape. The J.Crew brand is stamped underneath the cluster section of the ring. The beads seem sturdily adhered - I don't think they'll come off.


One complaint is that the crystal stone has a small white 'cone' inside it. You can actually see this on the images of the ring on the Web site. The ring seems to have a hole in it, and is adhered to the base of the ring with this white piece inside to help hold it in place. You can see the white piece when you look at it closely. Unless you really look, it's not noticeable.

I'm looking forward to wearing the ring with a variety of outfits - it's a fun piece of jewelry and I'd recommend it for anyone wanting something unique. The fireball is sparkelly and looks great with the mix of other colors of beads. :)

"Thanks!" again to Sweetmint for their great review! I think the ring looks great on her hand. I can't wait to try it on, at the store, myself! :)

What are your thoughts on the Cluster Ring? Are you considering or already have purchased this ring? Have you seen this jewelry piece in person? If so, please share with us your reviews too! :)

53 comments:

  1. where is her blog?

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  2. I bought it, and totally loved it. However, I purchased it in a large and sadly, it really was too big for my fingers. I took it back, hoping for a medium to exchange it, but no luck. It is quite pretty IRL.

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  3. My thoughts on the cluster ring: I think big jewelry looks cheap and tacky and in poor taste. It is just what I equate with big jewelry. It may be in fashion right now but I am not biting and will stick with my own current pieces of real jewelry from my dh or antique jewelry from my grandmother.

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  4. I like statement jewelry but I do not like this ring. I don't think it's anything special.

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  5. Thank you for the review Sweetmint! I would love to see the ring IRL...it's been getting fantastic reviews.

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  6. I think it's cute. Then again I love costume jewelry. It totally "makes" an outfit, I think.

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  7. Thanks for the review and photos sweetmint, and Alexis for posting.

    No way, no how would I ever wear this ring. I honestly LOL when I see it as it reminds me of something I had as a child playing dress up. No offense to those who love it, we just have different tastes and that makes the world more interesting.

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  8. I don't wear costume jewelry so I would not wear this or most of JCrew's jewelry. I did buy their dainty sterling silver pieces from a few summers ago and like them.

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  9. I loved this ring in the catalog & photos online- ordered it immediately in the "Black". The large was too big for me and the medium was too small- unfortunately, I'm sized in between. Ultimately, I returned it due to my skin coloring- the ring colors just didn''t go well with my skin tone (very fair).

    That said, I still love it and hope others can enjoy wearing theirs!

    Deni

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  10. I always love the comments of the posters who sneer at costume jewelry. I have some really good real stuff and much prefer to wear the costume. It is so much more fun. Accessories are a matter of personal taste. The only tacky thing here is the poster who would be classless enough to call someone's fashion choices "in poor taste". Luckily, I am both tacky and classless, so have no problem saying this.

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  11. Whatever floats the persons boat. I don't understand why some here feel the need to be insulting about what others choose to like or wear. If I were petty and in a miserable mood I'd make a statement about ones dh and grandmother I know nothing about. Lol Ok now back to the review and those claws.

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  12. FFM: I know you look at my blog...and I purchased this in orange (you know me and my love for bright colors). I will definitely post some high-res. pics when I receive it in the mail! :)

    I personally think this ring looks interesting and makes a statement, but for sure, it is not for everyone!

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  13. hmm... it's still big, but doesn't look as big as I thought it was. I think I would like this better if it came in other colors, or with different accent colors. I like the orange bauble, but not the peach. I like the black, but not the tan.

    Too pricey for me, but thanks for the review!

    -Heather

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  14. The original post by Alexis reads:

    "What are your thoughts on the Cluster Ring?"

    That is an open invitation for opinions and if people don't like it they have a right to that opinion. Who wants a bunch of fawning fake sincerity? I'd rather hear what people really think. Contrary view from yours? Write it off to a difference of opinion and stop scolding others and being so sensitive.

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  15. Its not what you say, its how you say it that makes a difference. You do not have to be sensitive to realize when some are throwing out insults versus their sincere personal opinion. I don't like the ring and lots of JCrew jewelry etc but I am not insulting towards those that choose to spend their money on whatever they like. What is gaudy or classy to one person can be boring or exciting to others. Now back to those claw hands modeling the ring and the claws that are being drawn over a fashion accessory.

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  16. I LOVE the cluster ring! I had this sent to me just to see it IRL and I fell in love with it. I sent it back though, only because I had already spent too much. LOVE IT! Despite its 'abnormal fungal growth' quality.

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  17. Insults, or strong opinions? Depends on whether or not you feel insulted.

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  18. I love a big ring.
    Costume and "real" live in opposite worlds in my closet. I don't even compare the two because I can't see a relation. Costume jewelry (to me) is not trying to be "real." When I wear costume I am not trying to pull the wool. Costume jewelry walks a fine line.

    This is a neat ring. I like the fireball part the best. I always wonder if the ring sizes offered would fit my fingers?
    This ring would look great on the middle finger of the right hand. Dina...I will be awaiting your review!!!

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  19. supposed to say -does look great on the middle finger

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  20. I own both the black and the orangem and I love it! I have also received many compliments on the ring, from my friends to strangers on the street! I personally do not think the ring is too big at all, and does not look gaudy, IMO. For those that own the ring, enjoy it!!! :-)

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  21. I thinks the ring looks like a tumor.

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  22. Anony@9:02

    YMy crystal ball says you might need some self-reflection time today...you must be in a bad mood as you already insulted other people on this blog today and if you cannot figure it out...check the back of your hand for your backhanded remark...

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  23. Some people need a backbone on this blog; WAY too sensitive. How do you survive day to day living if you get this sensitive over ring comments?! LOL!

    By the way, I do not like the ring but to each his own.

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  24. I love the ring...it's totally fun. I almost ordered it for fear that they might sell out of them. Alas, after reading about how many people don't like it, maybe the ring will stick around long enough for me to snag it on sale. Yes, JC jewelry is ridiculously expensive, but it's so much fun...and isn't that what fashion is all about?

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  25. Anony@9:02

    I feel sorry for you. I bet you wish you had jewelry from a dh or grandmother's jewelry to wear. You really know how to insult people when you say you aren't going to! LOL....

    Gigi H.

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  26. I have this too! In the same black color. I love it! It does a lot to jazz up some of my "plainer" outfits. Thanks for the review, Sweetmint! I agree that the white cone in the clear bauble is off-putting, but barely noticeable except to the wearer.

    For those worrying about the size of the ornaments, it really is not all that big. But it does take some confidence to pull off any piece of "costume" jewelry, so keep that in mind.

    I don't really care if some people here assume I'm gaudy or tacky for liking the ring. It's not like I'm piling this stuff on. Like I said before, on a plain outfit (as in my outfit today, which is all black), the ring does a lot to give it some interest. Besides, I don't wear any other jewelry besides a plain silver band on my other hand and studs in my ears, so I doubt wearing this one thing would suddenly push me into "tacky" territory. It's not like I'm wearing a feather boa with it! ;)

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  27. What's hilarious about all those anon posters who proclaim to never wear costume jewelry is their ignorance on the subject. They associate it with not having class - only Coco Chanel, a fashion icon, was a frontrunner in establishing the popularity of costume jewelry.

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  28. Soo pretty, thank you for real life pics! Looks very delicate on your hand. Definitely "love" on my list!

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  29. Thanks for the review sweetmint, it looks great on your hand!
    I think I am too clumsy for large jewelry though, especially rings. If I wore this, I'd probably give myself a black eye just trying to brush the hair out of my face :)

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  30. I love it! I tried it on at my B&M and it is not nearly as big as I originally thought. Still too much for me to pay, but I think it looks great and is a great addition to a simple outfit.

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  31. toast,
    Are you talking smack about my feather boas??!! ;)

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  32. I have this ring in the black and absolutely love it! This is the only ring I've ever seen that I just had to buy. I typically only wear my wedding and engagement rings. For me though, this is not a ring for everyday wear. I've been wearing it just at night when I go out someplace fun or fancy.

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  33. Tacky doesn't have to be costume jewelry. Have you ever seen some of the people who pile on tons of gold? Ick.

    Fashion should be about what you enjoy and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you be holdin' this ring - enjoy it, wear it, and love it. ;)

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  34. anon 11:17 Totally agreed people are way to sensitive on this blog!

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  35. Lexieloo:

    BIG SMILE...you made my day with your comment. :)

    You better wear that boa the next time us DC JCAs get together.

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  36. ysl,
    I hear you and there is nice costume jewelry out there. However, I don't think JCrew's jewelry fits into the category (high category) you are mentioning. Stones falling out, gold coming off after one or two wearings, JCrew jewelry is really cheap and looks it in my opinion. I wanted to like it but the pieces I have bought are junk, plain and simple.

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  37. anon 4:03, I agree, jcrew jewelry in no way compares to Chanel's. I was merely making the point that costume jewelry does not equal tacky, as some snotty posters above contended. It bothers me when people belittle those who like costume jewelry.

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  38. I totally appreciate the difference of opinions shared, so thanks to both those who have commented that they liked the ring, and those that haven't. The world would be boring if we all wore the same stuff every day! :) The ring definitely is more of a statement piece - it's obviously not just a plain band, so of course it causes some strong feelings in both directions.

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  39. I think it's cute and adds lots of personality to an outfit. I don't own this ring, but I have other cocktail rings that I love.

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  40. LOL I have real jewelry and can afford more than JCrew costume. That doesn't mean someone else doesn't enjoy their costume nor does it negate the fact that I see claws in the review pictures. LOL

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  41. lexieloo - No way, I love your feather boa-ed looks! ;) Now THAT look takes gumption!

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  42. Anon @ 6:25- I seriously doubt that most of the people here are professional hand models (unlike David Duchovny's character in Zoolander).

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  43. anon 6:25 PM, you are proof that even if someone can afford real jewelry (or say they can), that sure doesn't equate to them having class.

    Zoolander was freakin' hilarious!

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  44. The world class is subjective but of course you would know that being a zoolander person yourself. LOL

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  45. The person that reviewed the ring has nice hands without wrinkles. Maybe she was purposely positioning her hands in a claw.

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  46. This ring is lovely! I think it would be hard to wear OFTEN though. I like it!

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  47. So wanted to love the ring and take it home. Like others, I thought it would be a great accessory to a monochromatic look. But the white post that you can see through the clear bead made it a no-go for me. I must be OCD, because little design ticks like that make me crazy.

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  48. I have seen this ring and tried it on. I loved it! I am hoping they still have my size left after a markdown.

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  49. Anon 4:03pm I have to agree with you. Due to JCrews price point and craftsmenship on alot of their jewelry its a waste. They are not offering throw away jewelry pricing in my opinion. I still say whatever works for others does not bother me.

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  50. I LOVE the ring. As I say to my middle school students when we're sharing essays, critique the product, not the person...seems to apply here. Thanks sweetmint...great review.

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  51. I have done the review of the Orange Cluster Ring...it can be found at my blog--click on my name--then my blog--search for the March 5th entry entitled: Review of the Orange Cluster Ring.

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  52. I purchased these rings for my bridesmaids to go with their pearl jewelry and they went over very well! Bought an extra ring just in case, but now don't need it - need to get rid of - size Large, if you're interested

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Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)