BLING THING
A guide to buying jewelry for holiday gifting
It’s no secret that the holidays present the perfect opportunity to gift jewelry.
“Jewelry is a great option because people attach a lot of meaning and it inherently comes with significance,” says Dane Stevens, co-owner of Cavalier Jewellers in Vancouver. “It can be worn, showcased, talked about daily — far more often than, say, a pair of socks or a one-time trip to the spa.
“It’s a constant reminder of that person, or of that memory or moment.”
But while we can likely all agree that a shiny adornment makes a great gift for a partner, that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to pick out the perfect piece.
“Shopping can be stressful,” Katherine Schlattman, founder of the Vancouver-based jewelry line Foe & Dear, says. “But, as long as your gift is thoughtful and considerate of your partner’s style, I don’t think you can go wrong.”
While it may seem like a nobrainer when it comes to purchasing a gift for someone, both Stevens and Schlattman say it’s imperative to consider a person’s personal preferences when picking out a piece of jewelry.
And that all starts with watching what they wear.
“You have to know who you’re shopping for,” Stevens cautions.
“If you think you can just come in and buy something right away and that she’ll be stoked on it, you might want to do a little more research on the front end.
“Basically, just listen,” he says, with a laugh. “But, that’s just relationship advice, overall. And I’m still trying to figure that one out.”
All joking aside, the easiest way to gauge whether or not a person will wear a prospective gift is to take a peek at their daily jewelrywearing habits.
“Look at what colour of jewelry they wear, for sure,” he advises of sneaky tactics to gather tips and pointers toward a person’s jewelry preferences.
“If she’s always wearing silver, or white gold, or yellow gold, or rose gold, take note.If she wears rose gold every day — buy something rose gold.”
Seems simple enough.
But, what about going beyond the hue of the metal, which is essentially just the first step?
“First, study your partner’s style — are they classic, bold, tomboy, romantic?” Schlattman suggests. “Then, take your partner shopping and see what styles he or she is drawn to or what pieces they ask your opinion on.”
If you’re really looking to surprise your partner, consider taking a peek at their social media accounts to see what they’re liking, commenting on and re-pinning.
“Take a look at her Pinterest, for sure. For engagement rings, especially,” Stevens suggests. “And ask a friend you can trust.”
Stevens advises shoppers to be sure of a store’s exchange policy before buying — as an extra insurance policy against gifting a piece that ends up stuffed at the back of a jewelry box rather than worn proudly every day.
“It happens more often than you’d think,” Steven admits, when asked how many shoppers he sees coming in after the holidays with gifts that just weren’t the right fit for them. “That’s why I say to do a little homework.”
When it comes to stones, Stevens says there are some interesting shifts taking place in the market.
“Different colours are more popular right now than, let’s say, this time last year,” he explains. “Last year, I felt it was a little more traditional with blues, but this year there are a lot of different colours.”
Stevens says blue gemstones are giving way to those with a bit more green tones.
But the real wild card is something with a little more pink.
“Peach is really popular,” he says of the surprising hue. “It is lighter, off-tones are really in demand.”
Armed with a preference for colour and stone, it’s now time to think about type. Mainly: which style of jewelry should you pick up?
“Keep it simple,” Schlattman says. “Every girl likes a classic stacking ring and/or a necklace.” And a man?
“Simple again,” she says. “A cuff or a small accessory like a money clip or tie bar.”
And, when left completely in doubt, Stevens says stick to studs.
“You can never really go wrong with a pair of diamond or sapphire studs,” he says. “Most women would wear a pair of studs every day — and then mix it up from there.
“Nothing over the top. Less is definitely more,” he continues.
“People definitely find value in something they can wear every day.”
Oh, and just a little note to those shopping for jewelry who are in the engagement years — you know, where one of the partners is expecting every occasion to end with a ring — be aware of what the box you’re gifting looks like. Especially if it’s not a ring that’s waiting inside.
“We have an earring box that looks a lot like a ring box, so you don’t want to have that quick moment right before she’s about to open it where she might think it’s a ring,” Stevens cautions. “Now that’s awkward.”