Buying jewellery as a present for a loved one is an exciting time, but it can be challenging to pick the perfect option. It is the perfect opportunity to show your love and affection for someone, but there are a number of things to consider first before you buy, to ensure that you make the right decision.
Thinking about, Style
The first consideration to think about is the personal style of your loved one.
There are a number of questions you can ask yourself.
Does this person wear jewellery regularly, or do they save it for the big occasions?
- Is this person’s style subtle or more flashy?
- Are there any similarities amongst the jewellery they already wear?
A sensible starting point for buying someone a piece of jewellery is to look at what they already have, as well as considering their personal style, so that what you choose for them fits their aesthetic. It is worth asking yourself a number of questions, for instance, is the person you are buying for someone who prefers subtle fashion or are they more interested in the WOW factor.
If they enjoy bold statement pieces then certain types of jewellery, such as large or elaborate pendants and bracelets, may be more suited to them. Conversely, if your loved one prefers subtle fashion and simple jewellery then it might be worth considering a pair of solitaire ear studs, or a simple, yet elegant solitaire, pendant.
Thinking about, The Occasion
The next aspect to consider is the occasion. Now, of course, a piece of jewellery doesn’t always need an occasion to be bought, however if it is a milestone or a celebration (e.g. a birthday or an anniversary) then it may be worth considering a piece of jewellery that features their birthstone, or anniversary stone. Likewise, you may want to have the piece feature a symbol or engraving which makes the jewellery unique and personal to you and your loved one.
It is becoming more and more common for a wedding or engagement gift to be given to the bride or groom, to be worn on the big day. For men this may for instance be a pair of golden cufflinks, or even a bangle. For women, wedding day jewellery gifts are commonly a pair of diamond earrings, a tennis bracelet or a pendant set with either diamonds or other precious gemstones (sapphires, rubies or emeralds). Wedding presents are of course not requisite but they are a beautiful way of making your special day even more memorable.
Thinking about, Material
It is very important when deciding on jewellery to consider what metal you wish to have the piece made from, as different metals have different properties, as well as considering the preferences of the person receiving the item.
Firstly, it is important to consider if the recipient of the jewellery has a preferred metal amongst their existing pieces, so it is worth having a look and seeing if there is a pattern emerging in terms of preference towards platinum, white gold or yellow gold.
Platinum is a harder, more durable metal than gold, and therefore it is safer in terms of any damage that may occur to the jewellery due to knocks or general physical damage. However, it is much heavier than gold so therefore is not commonly used in earrings and pendants due to the increased weight and specifically with pendants, the use of platinum chains can detract from the overall look of the piece as it can not be polished as thoroughly as 18ct white gold.
If you wanted to have earrings or a pendant made with the same silver-colour as platinum then it is more beneficial to choose 18 carat white gold as the metal of choice. This is due to its much lighter weight and also as it can be rhodium plated, a process in which the metal is covered in a rhodium formula which gives a shinier, brighter appearance. We usually recommend using 18 carat white gold when having pendants and earrings made. Of course, 18 carat yellow gold is also a very popular choice for jewellery of all kinds (rings, earrings, pendants etc.) so in terms of using gold it comes down to the preference of the person receiving the gift.
Thinking about, Meaning
The final consideration is the meaning behind the jewellery. Purchasing jewellery is typically a pure expression of love and appreciation for a loved one and so it may be worth thinking about making the piece something specific and unique to the person, or something to symbolise the connection shared between you and the recipient.
For instance, engraving the jewellery with a message or symbol is one way to personalise the piece in order to make it unique to your loved one. Whether the engraving is of an important date, message or even symbol; by adding something personal it makes the gift distinctive and individual.
Likewise, the piece of jewellery itself may be personalised to represent the recipient or the relationship involved. For instance, we have recently produced a diamond-set pendant in the shape of a bumblebee, which was selected to represent the bee as the unofficial symbol of Manchester, and was chosen as it is representative of their home. Whilst we can sometimes be somewhat limited to doing this with pendants and other somewhat larger pieces of jewellery, our dedicated CAD designers will work tirelessly to produce your vision.
Finally, it is often the case that the more thought and consideration you put into choosing the jewellery, the more personal and sentimental the piece will become. This will elevate the piece from something chosen ‘at random’ and will transform the piece into jewellery that has been well-researched and selected with the preference and interests of your loved one in mind.
