Gift Giving Tips for Jewelry

My customers tell me one of the hardest things to buy is jewelry. From trueness of color in photography to the assurance of getting the stone you thought you purchased, jewelry buying can quickly turn into a nightmare.

Feeling pressured? Easily understandable. So let me help you out with a few suggestions to select right piece:

• Who’s your audience?
  Make sure you study the personal style of your recipient. Can’t quite make it out? Check out their friends, too. Buying a dainty necklace for your friend who is into the grunge look is probably a mistake…and vice versa. You’ll get the fake smile and nobody wants that.
  
• What’s the occasion?
  Think about the occasion you are celebrating with the purchase. Valentine’s Day? Why not buy jewelry with hearts or something red. Is it their birthday? Buy jewelry with their birthstone. Buying a ring as a gift is also nice, but if it’s too fancy, they might get another idea…there are always casual & fun ring options as well.
  
• The “why” can go a long way!
  “It’s the thought that counts” is a good mantra to go by when you are purchasing jewelry; however, most of us really want to hit the mark. So, if there’s a reason behind your purchase or a story to share, take a moment to write it down on a gift card and give with the jewelry. The thoughtfulness will get you big points.
• Is it affordable?
  There is such a range of jewelry out there. From the $5 earrings at Walmart to the fashion couture pieces in the thousands of dollars…jewelry can really break your bank. Do your research and if you can’t find jewelry locally to fit your budget (or the “budget” that the recipient feels comfortable wearing), go online and search for jewelry. I keep several price range categories (Under $25 & $25 – $45) in my store for just that reason. The point is to find something that you and your recipient will feel comfortable with gifting and wearing.
• Check for a guarantee!
  Make sure you always buy jewelry from a shop that offers a reasonable guarantee. If there is no return policy for the jewelry, clearly you need to be positive beyond a doubt about your purchase. For example, in my shop, if you aren’t delighted with your purchase or your item arrives damaged, I accept all returns 14 days from the date of delivery. You should look for similar policies from any retailer you consider.

If you keep these tips in mind while shopping for jewelry, purchasing should be much less a nightmare and more like a breeze so that it’s easy to get to shopping.

Are there other tips you’d like to share?