Yep, the POH brow bands are super quality! I bought a used one that was filthy and abused, and with some persistant cleaning, it looks fabulous now. I’ve had it several years, and have no idea how old it was when purchased. It appears to be real stone too. Maybe the same model, dark purple and silver. I’ve looked at less expensive brow bands, and have friends who have bought less expensive ones, and they do not hold up well.
There is a difference in quality, for sure!
This thread desperately needs photos! I’d like to see some of the combos mentioned. 
Well you can’t really get a good look at the browband but here’s the princess Sophie https://plus.google.com/photos/photo/103406099668134314917/6263730959509319634?icm=false&iso=true
@redsoxluvr makes FAB browbands.
I decided when I needed new boots, I might as well get them in Navy, since that’s what I prefer over black. Love them.
@carolprudm, she is lovely!! I have always liked that BB from POH.
Thank you. I am so lucky to have her. She makes me smile every day.
Actually, if you go to a bead store you can pretty much find anything you like for not much money. For example, my personal horses both have gemstone browbands. My Leonardo di Ponio has genuine amethyst stones, Swarovski crystal rondelles and Swarovski bicones. All told materials - less than $15. My Mr. Perfect has red tiger eye, Swarovski crystal rondelles and bicones. Again, about $15. I made one for my trainer that is jade, with sterling silver findings. About $20. I absolutely love some of the designs of the high end browbands that I see but I shudder when I see the prices, as I know very well what they cost to make. I can’t charge what others charge and sleep at night.
OP, I don’t know if anybody said, I didn’t read all the responses, but I wanted to say that you are so right - those colors (browns!) you have going really are beautiful on your horse. Who is just a beauty, himself, lol
Most of the bead stores are selling knock off precious stones. Jadeite or soapstone or something else that is not real jade. Freshwater farmed instead of real pearls. The Swarovski crystals are knockoffs too. Some of the less expensive stones may be real, but many are not. There are huge differences in quality of materials. The knockoffs still look fabulous, don’t get me wrong.
Years ago, a woman who makes costumes for (Appaloosa) Native Costume classes made me a crystal/beaded brown band; eagle feather design on a pale green background with abstract native designs between the eagle feathers. The beads are faceted and sparkle in the sun. It’s lovely. I supplied the browband and she did the design. She only charged me $25 dollars, but noted that she had thought because it was small, it would be less work. In truth it was MORE work because it was small. She said if anyone else wanted one, it would be $75 to $125. LOL
I had a brown saddle for years, but it didn’t fit my “new” horse some years back and couldn’t be refitted to him. My new saddle, a Dresch, is also “brown” but it’s such a dark brown that it looks black and I used a black bridle with it. It’s an old Steubben with a silver inset on the browband, so not much bling. But I do LIKE (tasteful) bling. I still ride an Appy, so since my horse has his own “bling” without any additions, I try to color coordinate and keep it “not too much.” But heck, if you have a “plain bay” or the like, I say Go For It!!!
I do find it interesting that several posters talking about “when I show” don’t show. Nothing wrong with not showing. Nothing wrong with having an opinion on something which is totally a matter of personal taste. Just weird to pretend you show when you don’t…
I feel like unless they are each individually sewn in (and I haven’t seen any of the higher end ones to know) it’s not worth precious stone browbands. Though I’d get them in the winter here during the gem and mineral show if I were doing that - great prices for massive varieties.
I don’t like it in extremes. I do like some of the conservative coloured jackets - charcoal, maybe even brown. I think if bling makes people want to wear a helmet then that is great. I like the look of the modern helmets with a jacket, but I’d stick to a non-sparkly one. I’m not averse to suede, leather or big air vents though.
I’m in South Africa and most people just wear black or navy. We’re also not allowed to have coloured stocks, only white or cream.
I think the major bling looks awful. Stocks should be tied and correctly pinned. Not puffy things made form left over gypsy wedding dresses. I love elegant ,traditional, . But most of all I HATE the braids. Puffy, lumpy , big balls on the neck. Eeew !Also , some of the saddles look like jousting saddles. Huge, lumpy creations that cover the horse up. Flapping legs and pumping bodies. hideous.
Whose braids?? Hard to tell if you refer to rider, or horse.
I have a monogram plate from them and love it! But now I want a claddagh…
horse braids . I don’t like a big bun with a sparkle on it either. Prefer hunter hair *tucked up in a net). Agree with previous poster. the horse is the bling.
I looooooooove the rosette braids / big button braids. I find them very flattering, myself.
I detest hunter braids / small plaits and think they make the neck look funny.
I prefer the Dutch/scalloped braids (which apparently have many names) on most horses and for the ease of putting in and taking out. And the fact that they can enhance the look of the top line. However, I do think some horses look better in really well done hunter braids.
Then again, I’m also a heathen who does not wear black except when fox hunting and who owns more than one blingy browband.
I also love scallops and they are easy to put in but the mane needs to be a certain uniform thickness. Years ago dressage riders dressed like hunter equitation riders ( more or less). Beige breeches until higher tests. I love the look.
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