How To Gift The Right Jewelry To The Right Person

Jewelry can serve as a fascinating gift, not only in terms of the piece you select but the symbol that it provides. After all, jewelry is about fashion and expression, but it’s also about expense, craftsmanship, and even a show of wealth. It’s also an intimate gift for the most part, even if given to someone you love platonically or as part of your family, with no romance intended. In other words, it’s unlikely you’re going to gift your boss a necklace except in very unique circumstances.

However, it’s also true to say that buying jewelry for someone you know well isn’t always so easy. Understanding their taste, price point, and the parlance around this area in itself may not come naturally to you. Of course, how you gift a bracelet for your daughter will also differ to buying one for your wife.

For this reason, it’s important to prepare and research a little before you get started. Don’t worry though, because we believe that this gift guide should provide some context and categories to think from in order to feel more confident in your purchase. Please consider the following:

Occasion & Events

Picking jewelry isn’t a science, though plenty of people wish it were for convenience’s sake. For example, a graduation gift piece is going to feel totally different from an anniversary present, and not just because of the price. You want one to be celebratory, and the other romantic. This means you may have more personalization in the former such as a custom well done engraving, and more decorate elements in the latter, like diamonds.

Older folks understand this better than most. They’re not interested in flashy pieces that scream for attention but care more about dignity and the story of a piece that serves a milestone like a birthday, perhaps with an amber ring that looks beautiful and draws the eye gently.

So, it’s wise to consider the occasion and the event, and what that situation might call for. This can give you a baseline filter to think through. For example, if you are buying jewelry for your boss as we discussed in our intro, then you might go for a clean set of cufflinks in their style as opposed to anything more familiar. It keeps them smart, respects their position, and most importantly, doesn’t come across as too intimate.

Keeping the event in mind will always be a good starting point for such an outcome.

Sizing & Comfort

Anyone who’s worn an uncomfortable bracelet or a ring that pinches knows that sizing is essential, but that can be one of the most difficult aspects to get right here without spoiling the gift. Of course, as you’re selecting a piece, considering how it will actually feel on the recipient’s body is essential, even if it’s just how loose a bracelet might be.

If you’re unsure about sizing, it’s worth asking a jeweler or someone close to the recipient for advice, perhaps even having a friend or relative gain that information on the sly. If you’re buying jewelry for your partner, for example, you can take one of their items to the jeweler and show the kind of size you’re looking for.

Style, Color, Tone

Fashionably, jewelry is perhaps the most personal accessory one can wear. The choices someone makes can tell you a fair amount about them, their taste, and even their character. Some people prefer understated elegance that doesn’t really scream expense but is made of real quality, such as simple gold studs or a delicate silver chain, but some might love bold statement pieces that catch the light and draw attention.

If you can, look at the jewelry they currently wear. There you can figure out if they veer towards vintage pieces or modern designs, or ask if their accessories are mostly silver, gold, or comprised of stacked and mixed metals. Also think about how they dress more widely, as some people look best in warm tones, or others in cooler shades. If your piece can complement their usual taste they’ll be more happy with it. You can always ask what they think of certain pieces during a general shopping outing under the guise of just looking.

Materials & Stonework

It’s fair to say that the materials and stonework of the piece will often define it just as much as the wider design, and will also define its place as a fashionable accessory. Metals are important to think of here. For example, gold speaks of tradition and warmth, and silver feels sharp and clean. Our skin sometimes reacts to different metals as well so pay attention to what works for the person you’re buying for.

It’s also important to try and be as personal as you can even if you’re giving this piece totally platonically. That’s because some options, like diamonds, aren’t everyone’s favorite. If opting for them, a stone from a special place or one that matches a birthstone can feel more meaningful than an expensive rock without any real connection. Again, you can look to prior inspiration or preferences to define your options.

Intended Effect

Of course, it’s important to think about the intended effect of the gift you’re giving, that matters no matter what. But it’s also true that jewelry is perhaps the most obvious and stark example of this, because it’s very easy to give the wrong impression.

For example, we’ve spoke about gifting your boss a pair of cufflinks. Making sure that the engraving isn’t too familiar, that they’ll work with a variety of suit options, and that they’re not over-the-top expensive will ensure you don’t seem too close. Buying them a watch, on the other hand, could be seen as slightly too familiar unless it’s a mutual gift from the entire office.

If you’re giving a bracelet to an in-law, for example, you might do so with a fairly understated and not overly elegant design as a symbol of appreciation and not romance. You can talk with your jeweler about how design secures effect, and how to twist that to the best possible outcome.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily purchase jewelry for someone in your life, and do so with the convenience of understanding.