How to Buy Jewelry For Girls
Buying Jewelry for Girls
By Jeremy Gold (The Quieter Half of Calla Gold Jewelry)
Buying jewelry for girls can be tricky for us guys.
Jewelry is one of those items with lots—and lots—of symbolism and significance connected to it.
The Wedding Ring
The classic example is the wedding ring. Everyone knows what it means. A gold ring on the left ring finger of a girl means she’s hitched and off limits to other guys.
To her, there is no other piece of jewelry more important and meaningful than this.
But what does this mean for us guys? It means we gotta be careful when planning on giving her one of these rings. On lots of levels!
Communication, Communication, Communication
Communication is king—or queen. I’m of the opinion that it’s best to consult your girlfriend rather than completely surprising her—with something she’s not too fond of.
There are millions of different wedding ring designs out there and the chances of you choosing the exact one she’s always dreamed of are not great. Often times, brides want to design something completely custom, too.
They want a unique ring that you aren't going to be able to find at Frank’s Dime and Jewelry. I suggest you and your honey talk to jewelers together. She’ll be happier in the end.
You’re not Proposing
What if you really like a girl, though, and you want to get her something nice—something that shows you really care about her, but...you’re not thinking of marrying her! For the time being, at least! You just want to get her something nice.
I would shy away from anything that even resembles a wedding ring. It could be awkward if you give her a ring that she thinks promises engagement. It could be a little embarrassing and uncomfortable. Know what I mean?
Necklaces, Pendants, and Bracelets
Necklaces and pendants can be better choices. Bracelets work, too. There’s little about these that imply marriage. They suggest you really like the girl, but that matrimony isn't part of the equation.
Silver Jewelry
Silver jewelry can be a good choice. It’s not as expensive as gold and it isn't traditionally used in wedding rings. It’s especially good for younger girls, too, who wear a lot more silver than they do gold.
Love and Affluence
The more expensive the gift of jewelry, the more the meaning it implys. A ten thousand dollar, eighteen karat gold, diamond ring means something completely different than a fifty dollar silver heart pendant.
Unless you know for sure this is the girl you want to spend the rest of your life with—and you have a very healthy bank account—get her the pendant. If she really is the one for you, she’ll stick around and you can always get her the ring later on.
Wealth has nothing to do with love. Sometimes the least expensive and silliest presents can be the most meaningful. The beaded necklace you spontaneously got her while walking on the boardwalk that summer might turn out to be her most cherished piece of jewelry (after her wedding ring!).
Buying Jewelry for Her if You’re Already Married
If you’re already married, the sky’s the limit and you can get her whatever you want—assuming you know her tastes. If not, you might want to do what I suggested earlier about her wedding ring: consult her. Talk to her. Find out what she wants.
You might learn there’s a particular piece of jewelry she’s always wanted at Ted’s Gold and Diamond Emporium. Go talk to Ted. Or…give her a gift certificate at her favorite jewelers to design the custom ring of her dreams.
The point is, do your homework. Before you sell your boat for the cash to buy her jewelry, find out what she really wants. You’ll both be happier. And ya know maybe Dramamine will help with the whole, "I always feel like upchucking on your stupid boat" thing. I know, how about Dramamine and a piece of jewelry?
Jeremy Gold
Jeweler
Hello Calla Gold whom I know from your Facebook Calla Gold Jewelry page, wonderful words of wisdom here. I enjoyed this article about buying jewelry for girls. Guys need to know this. I will post on my site. Thank you!
Nancy G V
Nancy,
I’m so glad you enjoyed that. And I always love seeing you come by my FB page too!
Calla
Could have used this blog when I was buying jewelry for my wife..25 years ago! lol
We’ve been married 25 years. She still has the first set of jewelry I bought her.
Hi Don,
Thank you for sharing your story! I love it.
Calla Gold
Hello Calla,
One of the things I love about your blog posts are the pictures of your work you put into them.
In particular the blue green ring, the sapphire engagement ring and that multi-color autumn colors ring.
I bet buying jewelry is hard for guys. Their moms should talk to them about it while they are young.
Great advice!
Sue
You are so right. Moms are you listening?
Calla
It’s true that buying jewelry for girls can be tricky, especially for my brother. I think I’ll tell him to communicate with his girlfriend so that he’ll know what he should buy at a jewelry store. Maybe she’ll appreciate some silver jewelry for their third anniversary, so I’ll tell him that as well.
Hi Angela, Great job looking out for your brother. What he learns now about giving jewelry and how much that means to the women in his life is very valuable. I’ll tell you a story. My client married with high hopes and the enthusiasm of her new husband faded as the next two years went by. She was so sad when he said he needed a divorce and that it wasn’t working. We never knew what wasn’t working as my client was kind, generous and fun. A friend of mine came to me when he found out my client (and… Read more »
Thanks for the tips on how to buy jewelry for girls. I like that you said that communication is king during the process. I think that that would help make sure that you bought her something that she would actually like and would wear.
Hi Steele,
Yes indeed, communication is king. Or keep the receipt so she can exchange it. Either way, giving the gift of jewelry is highly personal and says, you matter to me.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
It’s good to know that silver jewelry is not as expensive as gold jewelry. I want to buy a present for my girlfriends 21st birthday and need help deciding what to get. I think that a silver bracelet might make her happy.
Hi Stefan,
I think your girlfriend will be happy with your choice of jewelry. It’s so personal and memorable.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
Thank you so much for recommending not to buy anything that resembles a wedding ring if we’re not thinking about marriage. It would be very awkward indeed! I wanted to give my girlfriend a ring that my grandmother left me but it does resemble one, so I think I will get her a crystal bracelet instead.
Hi Wade,
Thank ring of your grandmother’s should wait until you’re engaged to jump onto your girlfriend’s hand. A bracelet is a good choice of gift during your courtship.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
I wanted to do something special for my wife, and I thought about buying her a piece of jewelry. I really like that you say to do your homework on her first. I may have to look through some of her stuff she owns to get an idea.
Hi Frank,
I love that you’ll be looking at her pieces and figuring out if she likes yellow gold, white gold or rose gold and whether she’s a vintage jewelry lover or more modern. Good luck in choosing a special
piece that will undoubtedly mean a lot to her.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
I like how you mentioned that necklaces are a good choice as a present, as they don’t imply marriage. I’ve been wanting to buy some jewelry for my significant other. These tips could help me find something meaningful but not too intense, so thank you!
Hi Taylor,
I’m glad that came in handy. It’s good to keep the jewelry gift appropriate and not to confuse your significant other. I could tell you stories!
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla