Ask many questions before buying the perfect piece of jewelry
It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to gift giving. There isn’t a woman out there who isn’t thrilled with the thought of Santa’s helper stuffing her stocking with glittering jewelry. But how do you know what to buy?
“Look at the jewelry she’s already wearing,” says Amber Michelle, editor-in-chief of Jewelry Connoisseur, a magazine on jewelry design and trends, available at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores nationwide. “Compliment her on a piece she is wearing and ask her who designed it.”
According to Michelle, jewelry is part of fashion. “This season’s hottest styles include the diamond right hand ring or jewelry with unusual pearls —such as stick, coin or keshi pearls.” She offers a few more pointers to help gift givers choose the perfect jewelry present this holiday season.
• What kinds of metal does she prefer? Is she wearing silver, yellow or white gold or platinum? Does she mix white and yellow metals? Try a piece in two-tone metals.
• What gemstones does she like? You can never go wrong with diamonds, but some women prefer colored gemstones. If you know your recipient’s favorite color, you can always buy a piece of jewelry that showcases a stone in that color.
• What’s her personal style? If her style is contemporary and modern, then chances are she will prefer sleek designs with clean lines and geometric shapes. If she has a more romantic style, she may prefer something with filigree or an antique look. Maybe she’s a trendsetter and she likes the unexpected. Perhaps a pearl or diamond dangling from a leather cord is just her style. Note the size of her jewelry. Is it a big statement piece or is it small and dainty? This too, should help narrow your choices.
• What are her interests? Does she love anything with animals, hearts, flowers or the sea? A beautiful charm bracelet in silver or gold would be an ideal choice.
• Go window shopping with your unsuspecting recipient. Pay attention to the items she admires. Go back and purchase them.
• If there is a jewelry store that she frequents, ask a sales associate who knows her taste for some suggestions or if he or she knows of an item that she’s admired recently.
Whether you’re after earrings, a necklace, bracelet, watch or brooch, be sure to visit a jewelry merchant that has a good reputation and has been in business for a while. If you need to make a return or exchange a piece, or have the item repaired, you can be sure the store will be around.
According to Michelle, there are several classic pieces that are ideal for every jewelry wardrobe, including diamond solitaire earrings, a diamond solitaire necklace or a diamond bracelet. For those who love color, she suggests gemstone bead necklaces or bracelets that come in a rainbow of luscious shades. “Daring women who love all-out glamour and glitz will be delighted with chandelier earrings, perfect for a night on the town.”