Buying jewelry as a gift for your wife, girlfriend or significant other is one of the most thoughtful, meaningful and romantic gestures you can ever make. Few items can express your lasting love and devotion like a special ring, necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings. Jewelry’s magic, mystique and enduring appeal make it a natural gift for special occasions and milestone events in her life.
But if you’re like most guys, you probably know as much about buying jewelry as you do about brain surgery or rocket science. The good news is that shopping for an appropriate piece of jewelry for your special someone doesn’t have to be an agonizing experience. Here are some basic tips to help you make the right buying decision:
Pearl and diamond earrings
Look in her jewelry box
You can learn a lot about the kind of jewelry she likes by seeing what she already wears. You’ll get clues about her individual style, her favorite gems, and what may be missing from her jewelry wardrobe. You can also gauge things like her ring size and the necklace length she prefers. For instance, if she already owns a cherished pearl necklace, she’s sure to love a matching pair of pearl earrings.
Consider her lifestyle and personality
If your wife or girlfriend is a hopeless romantic, it’s a good bet that she’d like a heart-shaped pendant. If she’s a conservative, casual type, stick to classic, everyday gold or diamond pieces like basic hoop earrings, diamond stud earrings, or link chains. You can also get charms representing virtually every profession, hobby or activity under the sun. But in general, remember that it’s safer to stay away from cutting-edge designs or glitzy pieces that would only be appropriate for a night on the town unless you’re absolutely sure she’d like them.
Diamond Heart with Peace Sign
Diamond cuff bracelet
Ask around
Her mother, sister or best friend could definitely point you in the right direction about her jewelry needs and desires. If you’d prefer a more expert opinion, find out where she shops, and talk to her jeweler about what she’s bought recently and what she’s been looking at. And of course, you can go directly at the source. Next time you’re at the mall together, buzz by some jewelry counters and take note of what catches her eye.
Do your homework
Nothing would be more embarrassing than buying your significant other a birthstone ring with the wrong birthstone! Make sure you know all the important dates in her life! Also, you certainly wouldn’t want to buy her a bracelet with a clasp that breaks the first time she wears it, or a ring that turns her finger green. Educate yourself about jewelry quality.
Last but certainly not least remember that jewelry is an emotional purchase. Maximize the impact of your gift by giving it to her in a romantic setting or in an unexpected way. The key is to be original, and you’ll create a memory that she’ll cherish forever.
Tags: gifts, jewelry box, jewelry tips
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:47 pm
You are correct! Purchasing a piece of jewelry, especially something important like an engagement ring, can sometimes be a daunting task. However, given the right research, information, and sifting through advices, the process is half completed. Personally, a year ago I proposed to my fiance. The proposal itself was not as hard as picking out the perfect engagement ring.
After immense research, shopping around, while considering her jewelry style I finally chose to buy her a beautiful Platinum engagement ring. For me, choosing a diamond was not a problem, I always had an idea of what kind of diamond I would get, a .75 round brilliant center stone and .15 round on each side. The issue was choosing the right metal and setting. I chose platinum because it is the rarest of earth’s precious metals, over 30 times more rare than gold. It is also 95% pure all throughout. That’s what is most important to me, getting something of great quality. It also secures the diamonds in place. With expensive diamonds such as the one I got, you bet i want something that makes sure it wont fall out.
She loves the look, the style, and hasn’t taken it off since! The ring doesn’t cause her sensitive skin to break out into allergies. (Another reason why I bought platinum- it is truly hypoallergenic, good match for her skin!)
December 4th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
This is great advice for men. The first piece of jewelry I bought for my girlfriend of 5 years was with the help of my mom
Definitely ask the women closest to you (even ones you don’t know), to get their take on a piece of jewelry. The first thing my mom said was to look at what she already wore and buy something with the same qualities.
I knew my girlfriend was really tough on her jewelry, so durability was on the top of my list. I agree with JohnB, platinum is the way to go. I purchased a platinum bracelet for her about 4 years ago and it literally looks the same if not better. The jeweler describes this aging as the natural patina that develops over time, creating a “mystique” and rich sheen that many people prefer to the polished look. She absolutely loves it. Also, unlike other metals where scratching actually removes the metal, platinum can bet scratched only on the surface an polished to look brand new without actually losing metal and value. Her platinum bracelet has lived up to the quality it’s known for.
I am now in the market for an engagement ring. I have “done my homework.” A great source that nicely describes the difference in metals and choice regarding diamonds is http://www.engagementguide.com … Truly helpful!