Looking for the perfect jewellery gift can be a challenge, no doubt about it. With different metals, gemstones, colours, finishes and sizes to choose from it can seem overwhelming. But don't let this put you off. A piece of jewellery can be such a special gift that will be treasured for many years to come. Whether it's an engagement ring, a 21st birthday present or a special anniversary gift, I can guide you through the process and have some tips and tricks that will help.
I'll take you through a few of the initial decisions to get you started...
1. Metals
First up is which metal to choose - silver or gold, white or yellow, 9ct or 18ct? This may be determined simply by budget which will immediately rule out (or in) some of these choices with 18ct gold being the most expensive.
To decide on the colour it's a good idea to look at what the recipient wears currently. If their jewellery is mainly silver or white gold then you know that's a safe bet for what they like and what will most likely fit with their current jewellery collection.
You may also want to consider lifestyle - the kinds of activities the recipient does can make a big difference to the wear and tear of jewellery, particularly rings. Some metals are 'tougher' than others depending on what they are alloyed with. Palladium in 18ct white gold makes it very strong and durable, but the copper in 9ct yellow gold is also a good strong choice. Silver is also an excellent choice as an affordable option. It's also an ideal choice for teenagers who's tastes may change faster than you can keep up!
TO DO:
- Notice which colour metal the gift recipient wears most
- Think about lifestyle and how much wear and tear the jewellery may need to withstand
2. Gemstones
If you'd like to incorporate a gemstone there are lots of colours to choose from. Much the same as gold, do you know or can you find out the gift recipient's favourite colour? What colour clothing do they wear most for example?
Diamonds are classic for a timeless piece of jewellery, but if you like colour then sapphire and tourmaline are two of my absolute faves and come in a beautiful array of shades and tones.
Alternatively, selecting a birthstone can be a lovely way to personalise jewellery. Check out my FAQ to find out yours.
Precious gemstones are also available in many shapes and sizes. Some people prefer soft curves - round, oval and cushion cuts - whereas others love a clean, crisp line - hexagons, squares and rectangles. I am able to source a wide range of cuts in most precious gems.
A lovely idea can be to gift a gemstone with a voucher so the loved one can then be involved in selecting the design for their jewellery themselves, but with your input from the gem.
I have a wide range of gemstones in stock, many of which you can see in this previous journal post. But also watch this space for them appearing individually in my shop, or contact Victoria.
TO DO:
- Sleuth away to work out favourite colours and shapes
- Would a gemstone and voucher be a better gift for this person?
3. Ring Size
Ahh, the trickiest of the lot. If you're thinking of buying a ring as a surprise this can be where the panic sets in! Deep breaths and work your way through this list:
- Can you ask a friend/family member who might know the recipient's ring size?
- Can you 'borrow' a ring to take to a jeweller's and get it sized? HINT: if this is an engagement ring, make sure this ring is worn on a similar sized finger, i.e. the fourth finger on the opposite hand. A thumb ring will not work!
- If you can sneak out a ring but not for long enough to take to a jeweller, I can post you a ring sizing template. You can them place the ring on the circles until you find the one where the inner diameter matches.
- You could put a similar sized ring on your finger - if it fits you (without struggling to get it on or off) you can then get your ring size. Or, at a stretch, if the ring only goes part way down your finger, you could get that bit of your finger measured.
If these haven't worked, the alternatives are to select a gemstone as suggested above. Or a voucher. Or perhaps a simple 'placeholder' ring that can easily be resized at a later date, with the promise of another ring in the future. You may have heard of this as a 'promise ring' when looking for engagement rings. An example might be a plain gold or silver band, or perhaps a lightly textured silver ring with a little flush set diamond?
TO DO:
- Do your best!
- Ask for help!
There are other things to consider such as textures, effects and finishes. You can find information about these things on my FAQ or please ask.
TOP LEFT: Hammered, polished and satin finish 18ct yellow gold rings
TOP RIGHT: Bark textured 18ct white gold ring
BOTTOM LEFT: Hammered texture polished silver earrings
BOTTOM RIGHT: 'Silk' textured silver cufflinks
