Jewelry Gift Giving Guide

Jewelry Gift Giving Guide

A well-made piece of jewelry is always a welcome present. If you are in the market for jewelry gifts this holiday season, look no further, our jewelry gift-giving guide will help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Here are the best jewelry gift options and how to choose the right one for that special someone.

Earrings

When it comes to selecting jewelry as gifts, you can't go wrong with a pair of earrings. Dynamic shapes, striking metal finishes, and various sizes and styles make them one of the most versatile pieces of jewelry one can own.

Classics such as pearl drop earrings and diamond studs convey a timeless, tasteful elegance that complements any formal outfit for any special occasion

Whether bold or straightforward, earrings are always a welcome present. Here are some earrings perfect for surprising that special someone.

Stud

Dainty and refined, stud earrings are an excellent gift for anyone on your list. Pearl and diamond stud earrings are classically chic, but studs are available in a wide range of gemstones and metals.

Hoop

Hoops are typically gold, silver, or platinum, but you can also find hoops with inlaid gemstones or diamonds. Most are round but look for unique hoops in the shapes of triangles, ovals, and squares. Small hoops are great for an understated look. Large or thick hoops are bold and dramatic.

Chandelier

Chandelier earrings are long dangling earrings that resemble a crystal chandelier. Feminine and elegant, these luxurious earrings add instant sparkle to any outfit.

Clip-on

Clip-on earrings are a great gift for loved ones without pierced ears. There are lots of beautiful, modern clip-on earrings sure to please both young and old alike.

Necklaces

Jewelry Store NYC

Image via Flickr by Will Fisher.

Whether ornate, simple, vintage, or contemporary, necklaces remain a classic statement jewelry piece that can accent any outfit you put together. Necklaces make an elegant jewelry gift for holidays such as Christmas and Valentine's Day, but they can also be thoughtful jewelry pieces to present to a bride on her wedding day.

When choosing a necklace, keep your recipient's tastes in jewelry in mind. A necklace with a simple chain is a timeless style that any woman will appreciate. An elegant necklace, accented with diamonds, rubies, or other gemstones, can become a new family heirloom that your friend or loved one can pass down from generation to generation.

Here are some of the most popular necklaces during the holiday gifting season:

Charm necklaces 

Charm necklaces are perfect for teenagers, mothers, and grandmothers. A wide variety of charms are available, allowing you to customize a charm necklace to your recipient's hobbies, travels, and life events. If you are giving a charm necklace to a friend or sister, consider buying two necklaces with interlocking charms.

Lockets

Lockets are very personal and a great way to send a little piece of yourself with the one you love. Lockets are available in gold, silver, and rose gold and are often covered in intricate designs, diamonds, or gemstones. There are several kinds of lockets to choose from:

  • Vintage lockets: Usually heart- or oval-shaped and designed to carry pictures
  • Expanding lockets: Open up to reveal multiple photos, making them perfect for grandmothers
  • Prayer box lockets: Large enough to hold small papers with personal wishes or prayers
  • Aromatherapy lockets: Allow the wearer to diffuse essential oils from a pad built into the locket
  • Clear floating lockets: See-through and can be filled with charms or crystals

Lariats

Lariat necklaces are simple and perfect for that loved one with an affinity for the Old West. Look for quality materials, including hand-tooled leather, turquoise, and silver.

Chokers

Choker necklaces are worn high on the neck. Styles range from simple, thin chains to bold, thick necklaces made of leather or lace. Some chokers also have charms that can be personalized to the gift recipient.

Chains

Simple chain necklaces are timeless and a great addition to anyone's jewelry collection. There are ten types of necklace chains:

  • Mariner: Interconnected ovals; look similar to the chains connected to anchors
  • Ball: Linked beads or balls; usually worn with dog tags
  • Box: Interconnected square links 
  • Figaro: Alternating flattened links
  • Rope: Metal segments twisted to look like rope
  • Singapore: Open, twisting chain
  • Snake: Highly flexible and resembles the body of a snake
  • Wheat: Oval metal links twisted to look like heads of wheat
  • Herringbone: Connected flat metal segments to create a solid-looking chain

Chains are available in a wide range of thicknesses, making them perfect for the men and women on your holiday list.

Watches

jewelry store nyc

Image via Flickr by WayTru.

A watch is a beautiful and useful gift. There are several factors to consider when choosing a watch as a gift:

Price

Well-made quartz watches cost $100. Expect to pay between $500 and $2,000 for a high-quality Swiss quartz watch. Top-of-the-line watches made from high-end materials can cost $10,000 or more. 

Movement 

Watches are available with three kinds of movement:

  • Quartz movement: Uses a quartz crystal to maintain activity; found in most affordable watches 
  • Automatic movement: Draw their power from the motion created when you wear the watch
  • Manual movement: Must be wound by hand; least common watches on the market today

Function

When choosing a watch as a gift, consider the recipient's lifestyle. 

  • Dress: Generally smaller and made from high-end materials such as gold and diamonds
  • Exercise: Include lots of tracking functions and are water and sweat-resistant
  • Underwater: Great gifts for those that love to dive: water-resistant and include specialized functions

Brooches

Brooches can add glamour and sophistication to any simple outfit. Whether worn on a shirt or a shawl, brooches are timeless pieces of jewelry. Suppose you're lucky enough to own one or more vintage brooches that have been passed down through the generations in your family. Why not carry on the legacy by handing them on to a family member who is getting married or celebrating a milestone anniversary?

When selecting a brooch to give as a jewelry gift, keep your recipient's interests in mind. Look for one that matches her personality for a distinctive piece of jewelry she'll treasure forever. Brooches often feature elements such as animals, crests, flowers, or lettering.

Bracelets

Fun and funky or classic and tailored, bracelets make a thoughtful gift suitable for any special event, including anniversaries and birthdays. Today's bracelet styles range from coils and chunky chains to designs featuring glass charms and gemstones. Finishes such as gold and silver add refined elegance to a bracelet design.

If you're looking for a distinctive gift for a young woman celebrating her 16th birthday, consider a gorgeous charm bracelet. Your gift recipient can collect various charms and add them to the bracelet over time. 

Here are a few of the most popular bracelets for gift-giving:

Tennis bracelets

Timeless and sophisticated, a tennis bracelet is a perfect gift for that special someone in your life. Tennis bracelets are available with a variety of gemstones, including diamonds, sapphires, and rubies.

Charm bracelets

These bracelets are a great way to showcase your loved one's personality. Give the bracelet as a gift and add charms on every special occasion. A variety of charms are available, including animals, family, hobbies, nature, special events, symbols, and travel.

Pearl bracelets

Pearl bracelets are a classic jewelry item that belongs in any woman's jewelry box. Pearls are elegant and can be worn with most outfits and on most occasions. The most common pearls are white, but gray, blue, black, and pink pearls are also available.

Rings

When you want to tell someone "I love you," you can't go wrong with a carefully chosen ring. Rings are popular jewelry gifts that can suit various occasions, such as anniversaries, birthdays, and weddings. But don't overlook rings for other special events as well.

Honor your mom on Mother's Day with a custom ring featuring the birthstones of all her children within the setting. A young woman celebrating a bat mitzvah or her quinceanera will love receiving an attractive ring bearing her initials on the band. A pearl ring makes a perfect gift to recognize a new job or a work promotion. 

Diamond rings remain a classic piece of jewelry that transcends time and can become a family heirloom handed down from generation to generation. 

When buying a ring as a gift, make sure you know the recipient's finger size. Popular ring gifts include:

Bands

Simple gold, silver, or platinum bands are universally loved and create eye-catching pieces when stacked with other rings. Diamond and gemstone eternity bands are thoughtful presents for a wife or mother. 

Signet

Often worn on the pinkie finger, a signet ring is fashionable for both men and women. Signet rings usually have symbols or the wearer's initials engraved on the top.

Claddagh

Steeped in history, the Claddagh ring stands for love, friendship, and loyalty. Claddagh rings can be simple engraved bands or ornate, bold rings.

Cocktail

Large and dramatic, the cocktail ring is meant to be worn on special occasions. Cocktail rings are usually made with gemstones or diamonds.

Whether you are choosing a gift for your wife, mother, or best friend, jewelry is always a great choice. Martin Busch Jewelers has been making holidays brighter since 1954. For a true one-of-a-kind gift, let the experienced associates at Martin Busch help you design a custom jewelry piece. Send us your ideas, and we can help make your jewelry dreams a reality. Your unique gift will be treasured for years to come and passed to future generations.