By: Jacob Maslow
Choosing jewelry for someone can be a lot of fun, but there’s a lot that goes into making the decision about what to buy. It’s not as confusing as it seems at first, but it does take thought and effort to find a piece that the recipient will love.
1. You Need to Observe Their Style
First and foremost, you need to observe their style. Someone who prefers plainer, simpler jewelry would most likely want something that’s plain and simple, and not chunky and huge, for example. If they tend to wear jewelry that can put up with a lot and that is very strong, a delicate piece might not get a lot of wear.
2. Do They Have a Preferred Metal Color?
One issue you should observe is whether the recipient has a preferred metal color. They may have a preferred metal overall, but sometimes it’s the color and not the actual metal that’s what they really like. Keep in mind that metals come in different shades depending on the alloy a piece of jewelry contains. If you notice that they really like to wear lighter shades of yellow gold, for example, aim to get them something in that shade.
3. Birthstones Are Nice But Tricky
Giving someone jewelry that has their birthstone is a very nice choice. However, many months have multiple birthstones. Some may be the same color but have a different chemical makeup (e.g., November’s golden topaz and yellow citrine), while others may look completely different (e.g., August’s peridot, sardonyx, and spinel). You might consider a custom piece with all the stones if you don’t know which stone they’d prefer.
4. Find Out About Ring Resizing Policies
If you want to buy a ring for someone and are unable to find out their ring size, buy the ring from a jeweler who has a generous ring-resizing policy. While there are plastic and silicone “ring resizers” that you can attach to the ring, it’s much nicer to be able to wear a ring that’s the correct size.
5. Take Your Time
It’s worth it to look for a piece that is of very good quality with good craftsmanship. That can take some time, so start looking early for that gift.
6. Keep That Receipt or Get a Gift Receipt
The jewelry could have an issue that you didn’t see, such as a loose prong that allows a stone to drop out. Or, it could be that the item has something that irritates the recipient’s skin unexpectedly. In both cases, that receipt allows you to exchange, and if you’re not sure if the recipient will like the piece, giving them a gift receipt gives them the option to exchange the item.
7. Match the Jewelry to the Occasion
Finally, you need to match the quality and type of jewelry to the occasion and to your level of friendship/relationship. (An obvious example would be giving someone you’re dating a diamond ring when you had no intention of proposing.) If you’re not used to buying jewelry for people and have no idea what would be appropriate, it helps to talk to jewelers and staff at jewelry counters.
Buying jewelry for someone can be a very interesting experience, especially if you choose to have a custom piece made. With careful consideration, you’ll find something the recipient will adore.
Published by: Josh Tatunay
