A MAN’S GUIDE TO BUYING JEWELLERY FOR CHRISTMAS!

DECEMBER 1, 2014

I recently did a feature for the RTE Guide on tips for buying jewellery this Christmas and it struck me, this would be great information to share on our blog. Let’s face it, buying jewellery is not an easy task for most men. I know the feeling of dread when I go to buy something that I know nothing about, for me it is generally to do with bikes or ultra-marathon accessories. We would much rather that every lady wakes up on Christmas morning to the piece of jewellery of her dreams… here are a few tips to get you there.

INITIAL RESEARCH

Choosing the right piece of jewellery requires a little planning and forward thinking. You can tell so much from the style of jewellery that the lady in question currently wears. Look at her jewellery and ask yourself these questions… What colour metal does she wear – white, yellow or rose? Does she prefer stud earrings, drop earrings or either? Many women will only wear one or the other so it is advisable to check in advance. Look at the general style of her jewellery – is it delicate and fine or is it big and bold? If you can take a sneaky snapshot of her jewellery box. We can tell a lot from the style of jewellery that she wears and will be able to point you in the right direction.

SIZING

Unless you are sure of the chain length that she prefers I would recommend choosing 18”. There is nothing worse than receiving a gift that is too small on Christmas morning! 18” chains can always be shortened in January if necessary. If you are planning to buy a ring, try and sneak one of her other rings out for the day’s shopping. We can measure her ring to get an approximate finger size. If you can’t get it out of the house, lie it down flat on a piece of paper and draw a circle around the inside edge of the ring – this would give us a good idea of the size. You will need to know which finger she wears this ring on. We have had thumb rings brought in as an approximate size for an engagement ring, not a good idea!

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING

18ct gold is generally the finest gold used for jewellery. 9ct has a lower gold content and therefore is a slightly different colour. Platinum is the hardest and most expensive white metal, white gold is next followed by silver. If you are buying gemstones or diamonds ask about the details of the stone. The most important factor in buying a diamond is the cut, yet it is often overlooked. The cut will determine the return of light or brilliance from a diamond. Beware of cheap stones! There is a reason why they have a lower price tag – choose a high quality, smaller diamond within your price range rather than going for a particular carat weight in a low quality. Be open to new stones and styles. Traditional jewellery is lovely but there is something really unique in a modern setting and design.

PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING

We believe that the box and wrapping is as important as the gift within. If you buy jewellery elsewhere, make sure that it comes in a presentation box. All Stonechat Jewellers pieces come in a beautiful box with a vibrant pink ribbon and we include information about the designer and a brochure detailing that all of our jewellery is handcrafted.

TRUST US!

We only have trained goldsmiths on our team and we are open to giving advice on what suits and what to avoid. Most importantly, don’t feel intimidated or afraid to ask! It should be a pleasant shopping experience and we are approachable and nice, I promise!

Need some suggestions? Here are our top picks for Christmas gifts this year.