tacky- good question about who's friend -i'd be bummed if a friend of mine picked those out, especially if they knew my taste and usual choice of jewelry. he should have asked the counsel of kates sister, or camilla or laura.
seems like i remember the royals give funny, inexpensive gifts at Xmas, hope kate gets the joke

i read Dianas first experience was upsetting, she had bought nice, thought out, expensive gifts and the others gave padded toilet seats and black bath soap, she was hurt no one had told her the "inside joke" (might not be true, can't remember the source- sorry)
i'm sticking with these being a stocking stuffer and not the "real present". i don't know if i would have worn these in my 20's but earrings are personal if you don't know someones taste don't go that route. classy and expensive you can't go wrong. better $500 on an unique, antique brooch than the same amount on earrings everybody and their dog can own- sorry jmo
in my experience with hubby i have to lead by the hand, cut it out of an ad or buy it myself and tell him what he got

alto to be fair he really tried but it tended to be imo really for him (sexy undies, tv tables, juicer, i could go on) he honestly doesn't have a clue, when he'd take a friend for advise- he'd never listen to them, sigh what can you say, men....... he had to "learn" now he surprises me with personal stuff he knows i would like- antiques, books, expensive chocolate, to me it really is the thought that counts not the cost or "bigness" it's the effort that touches me not the item itself. (this year we gave each other rewiring the house how romantic is that

)
what do our younger members think- would you be happy with these for Xmas from your love (not your aunt, friend, brother) your true love? i'm a brat, i don't care white gold or not i'd be looking around for the real present. it will be interesting watching for them in future photos.