| Buying jewelry as a gift can be nerve wracking. | | | | box to find a ring she might already wear, and |
| How do you know where to begin? What should | | | | trace the inside on a piece of paper. It might not |
| you buy? And when you get to the store, what | | | | be perfect, but it can be adjusted later. |
| do you look for? We asked jewelry design | | | | 6. Set a budget. Decide how much you want to |
| majors at a fashion school to share their | | | | spend on your gift, and try not to be swayed in |
| expertise, and they've come up with these | | | | the jewelry store to exceed it. Again, your |
| practical tips on how to find the perfect piece for | | | | female friends might have some insight on this |
| your special someone. | | | | matter. The price level should be appropriate to |
| 1. Notice what she already wears. The first step is | | | | your stage in the relationship. Spending too much |
| to figure out what she likes. Keep a mental note | | | | early on might make her uncomfortable. |
| of what she wears every day, and what she | | | | 7. Do some homework on metals and gems. At |
| wears for a night on the town. Buy only those | | | | the jewelry store, the salesperson will use a lot of |
| pieces. Don't think that she doesn't wear bracelets | | | | terminology that could be confusing, so know |
| because she has been waiting for you to buy the | | | | some basic facts. For example, solid gold doesn't |
| perfect one for her. | | | | mean 24 karat gold. It only means it isn't hollow. |
| 2. Notice her style preferences. Jewelry is like | | | | And not all gemstones are created equal. They |
| fashion design: every woman has her personal | | | | can be natural, laboratory-created, or imitation. |
| style. So suppose you know she's an earring | | | | 8. Check the craftsmanship. Make sure that clasps |
| person. Does she tend to wear hoops or studs? | | | | are solid and work properly. Examine the settings |
| If she's into necklaces, does she like simplicity or | | | | for uniformity. If you're buying jewelry made with |
| layers of baubles? Your best bet is to buy her a | | | | precious metals, look for karat marks that define |
| variation on what she already wears, but perhaps | | | | the metal's purity. There should also be a hallmark, |
| with a twist, like a different gemstone. | | | | showing that the manufacturer stands behind the |
| 3. Ask your female friends for help. Once you | | | | accuracy of the karat mark. |
| know the general direction of the type of jewelry | | | | 9. Ask about the store's refund or exchange |
| you're buying, ask your female friends at work | | | | policy. As perfect as you think the jewelry is, it |
| what they would purchase. Your female friends | | | | might need to be taken back for some reason. |
| can also tell you what are hot "must have" pieces, | | | | Also pay particular attention to the valid time |
| and the best places to shop. Be careful about | | | | period. There's a big difference between 24 hours |
| asking her friends. They might spill the beans. | | | | and 30 days. |
| 4. Avoid buying a ring. That is, unless you're going | | | | 10. Get the product details in writing. If your |
| to pop the question. Our fashion college experts | | | | purchase involves precious metals or stones, |
| agree that any other ring, no matter how | | | | make sure the salesperson writes down all |
| beautiful, only says you're not ready to commit. | | | | information about the jewelry on the receipt, such |
| Who needs to step on that land mine? | | | | as the gem's weight or size. |
| 5. Know her size. If you are buying a ring, find out | | | | By doing a little research and being a smart |
| what size she wears. To do this, you'll have to | | | | shopper, you're sure to make someone very |
| snoop a little. Look through her dresser or jewelry | | | | happy when she opens that gift box. |