Alex Thompson-Welch‘s journey on Farmer Wants A Wife might have only just begun, but there are signs he already knows who he’s picking.
The 28-year-old beef and mushroom farmer picked Eddy for his 24-hour date, giving her a clear advantage, and he also gifted her jewellery during the date in a bold gesture.
And New Idea can reveal the eye-watering estimated price tag of the necklace, which might leave you asking: romantic gesture or too much too soon?
“The pendant looks to all be in yellow gold with a fine chain to hold the bezel set with a slight crescent moon-shaped mother of pearl,” MDT Design jeweller Kosta Theochari exclusively tells us.
“The high polish on this piece tends to bring more attention to the white mother-of-pearl.
“In terms of pricing, the quality of both the gold and the mother of pearl does play a huge factor, but I feel this is priced in the vicinity of $2,800.”
Needless to say, it’s a very bold gesture for a first date, and with four other women about to enter the scene, it could ruffle some feathers.
The scene itself was romantic and emotional, and I’m sure fans were rooting for the couple; however, I am also wondering: is it a red flag to give such an extravagant gift so soon?
I know I’d be slightly alarmed if somebody presented me with jewellery on a first date, but then I probably wouldn’t be swept away for a 24-hour date in the first place.
The world of FWAW is far from the usual dating rituals, and Alex seems like a genuine guy, so I will cut him some slack, but the gesture certainly raised my eyebrows.
A better expert than I, Montana Bourke from Carat Cake Jewellery, also weighed in on how the trend of gifting jewellery has changed, particularly when it comes to romantic relationships.
“I think jewellery on a first date is less about the price tag and more about the thought behind it,”she tells New Idea.
“The most meaningful pieces aren’t necessarily the most expensive, they’re the ones that show someone has paid attention.
“That said, we’re seeing a shift in how people view jewellery. It used to be reserved for major milestones, whereas now it’s become a way to celebrate connection, confidence and memorable moments, even early on in a relationship.
“A thoughtful piece of jewellery on a first date can be incredibly romantic when it feels genuine and not performative.
“Whether it’s a simple pendant, a pair of earrings or a bracelet, it’s really the intention behind the gift that makes it special. The best jewellery tells a story, and sometimes those stories start from the very first meeting.”
For Alex, his necklace gesture was the perfect move. He’s already admitted that Eddy was a “clear frontrunner” from early on, so maybe it’s no surprise he fell head over heels.
“When I picked, there was no question in my mind that I was choosing Eddy for that 24-hour date,” he told Marie Claire.
“I was really happy with the five ladies I took back to the farm, but Eddy was the clear frontrunner.”
So, do the other girls stand a chance? Fans think not!
“Send the rest home, she’s the one haha,” one viewer argued, while another added, “I agree.”
“Wow, very impressive of him to give her this beautiful necklace,” a third said.
However, as the world of reality TV often proves, anything could happen, so things are not over yet.
With the arrival of Delia, Suzanna, Gabbie and Rachel on the farm, other connections could still blossom.
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