Tips for Choosing Jewelry as a Gift
There’s no denying that most women love jewelry, so that makes it a perfect go-to gift. However, not every piece will suit every gift recipient’s personal taste and style. Before just heading to the store and buying the first necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings that catch the gift giver’s attention, it’s important to do some homework. Read on to find some tips for how to choose the perfect piece of jewelry to give as a gift.
Do Some Detective Work
The first step is to get a good feel for what kinds of clothes and jewelry she normally wears. The good news is, gift-givers don’t have to break into their friends’ or family members’ homes and raid their closets. Just take a look at her social media pages.
Take note of the types of jewelry she is wearing in her photos. Chances are, she has unique preferences when it comes to styles, metals, and colors, and if she’s a fashionista, they’re already matched to her wardrobe. Look for pieces that have similar features, but stand out enough to make a good addition to her current jewelry box.
Consider the Occasion
No piece of jewelry is right for every occasion. Gift-givers looking for birthday or anniversary presents are usually better off going for more formal pieces, but that’s not always the best choice. For a random, thinking-of-you gift, consider something less formal like a charm necklace at Adina’s Jewels.
Gift givers also need to be clear about their intentions towards the recipient. Giving an expensive piece of fine jewelry to an acquaintance or work colleague, for example, might give the wrong impression. It’s also important to be aware of the meanings of different metals and gemstones, especially if the recipient has a more spiritual side.
Set a Strict Budget
Jewelry ranges substantially in cost. Fine diamond rings, for example, are incredibly expensive, while casual necklaces tend to be much more affordable. Before falling in love with any particular piece, sit down and come up with a strict budget.
Gift-givers who don’t have much money to work with don’t need to be too concerned. Take any piece of expensive fine jewelry, and it’s almost always possible to find a more affordable yet equally beautiful option. It’s all about understanding different options and finding one that will fit not just the occasion, but also the gift giver’s budget.
Plan Ahead and Buy Online
There are few things more stressful than rushing out to the store to buy someone a last-minute gift. Instead of putting off choosing the perfect present until the last minute and choosing from only what’s available at the nearest department store, plan ahead and shop online. Puravida Bracelets and other online jewelers tend to have wider selections of pieces, and most of them sell anklets, necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry at lower prices than their brick-and-mortar counterparts.
Planning ahead also comes with another benefit. It lets gift-givers personalize their chosen pieces by adding names, initials, meaningful dates, or other engravings. Many necklaces, rings, and even earrings can be customized for a reasonable price.
Ask For Help
Having trouble choosing the right piece of jewelry for that special someone? There’s no shame in asking one of her close friends or family members for help. Just make sure to choose a friend who can be trusted to keep a secret.
It’s usually best to ask friends or close family members who are around the same age and are familiar with the gift recipient’s unique style. Not only will they be more likely to have paid attention to what’s already in her collection, but they can casually bring up questions and personal preferences in ways that won’t make it obvious that they’re sleuthing for someone else. Again, though, be clear that she shouldn’t know why her friend is asking about that favored necklace.
Get the Size Right
Some types of jewelry must be sized to fit their wearers. Rings are a perfect example. When future fiancés propose, they usually exercise some caution when determining their partners’ ring sizes, and more casual gift-givers should do the same. The easiest way to do it is to take one or more of her current rings and trace them on a piece of paper, then compare it to a sizing chart.
Don’t have access to her jewelry box? Stay away from giving her a new ring. Instead, try buying long necklaces, bracelets, or earrings. They don’t need to be sized as precisely, so it’s much easier to get an idea of what will fit and what will look good given her body type.
Be Aware of Metal Allergies
Since not everyone wears jewelry, some people don’t realize that metal allergies are a very real thing. Nickel is by far the most common culprit. People with nickel allergies often experience dermatitis outbreaks and other itchy, unpleasant reactions.
Most women with metal allergies aren’t quiet about it. The people closest to them will probably know if they’ve had bad experiences with nickel or other materials. This is another circumstance where it always pays off to ask a close friend and to take a look at her current jewelry collection. If it contains no nickel at all, chances are, there’s a reason for it.
Aside from nickel, most other metals are pretty safe. Few women are allergic to gold, silver, or platinum, and there are plenty of other non-allergenic options that are more appropriate for casual jewelry.
The Bottom Line
Jewelry makes the perfect gift for almost any occasion, but it takes some work to find a piece that the recipient will like. Don’t assume that every woman wants diamond earrings or a pearl necklace. Pay attention to her unique style and personal jewelry preferences and buy a piece that will work well with her wardrobe.
If gift-givers want their recipients to recognize their thoughtfulness, they have to be, well, thoughtful. When in doubt, ask one of her trusted friends for help and advice. Other women tend to notice things like what types of jewelry their friends prefer, and most will keep a secret if it will make the gift recipient happy.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
