Choosing Jewellery
Getting it Right
Buying for ourselves is generally easy peasy - we know what we like, and what will suit us. (If you fancy something a bit out of your 'comfort zone', there are some handy tips in my 'Helpful Guides' section.)
However, buying for someone else, whether it's to commemorate an event, or as a gesture of affection, can be a bit more tricky. Here are some guidelines on style, allergies and the suitability of different precious metals that'll help you 'get it right', regardless of the purpose of the gift:
Getting it Right : Character and Style
Avoid the 'oh that looks about right/expensive/like last time' syndrome. Take a moment to think about the personality you're buying for; what kind of jewellery do they normally wear? For instance, if they don't wear bracelets, it's likely they really don't like wearing bracelets! Stick to earrings, necklaces or brooches/pins.
Often, if you haven't known the person that long, or the piece is for a presentation, something symbolic or meaningful is more appreciated than an obviously expensive generic piece - it implies a flattering attention to detail that will earn you Brownie points, whatever your purpose!
(A good example of this is the scene in 'Sex and the City', where Carrie goes to Paris, and is distraught when she loses her old, inexpensive name necklace, with all its memories of New York. Her Russian artist lover buys her a diamond necklace to make up for it. However, he abandons her at his Gallery opening after insisting she support him and miss a party with her fans. Sitting alone, she finds the original necklace buried in the lining of her bag, and realises the grand gesture without genuine attention is not what she wants!)
So do consider taking a little 'time out' to think before you start throwing money around!
Does the person wear bright colours, go for classic neutrals, or a mixture? With the former, bright jewellery in plastic or acrylic that's described as 'funky' or 'retro' will often appeal - a special touch can be added by buying vintage items in this style. However, if this is a very special gift, a little daring on your part is required - someone who wears vivid colours/funky jewellery will often be particularly flattered by the gift of a good-quality classic piece, but in an unusual colour or significant style, such as a sterling silver pendant inlaid with a bright enamel.
Someone who is more cautious, and wears neutrals, will usually go for classic, understated and clean designs, whether they be vintage or modern. However, they'll often appreciate an unusual design if it's in a 'special' colour/style, or the design has sentimental significance.
Artisan jewellers and independent designers can be a rich source for this sort of personal piece, both online and at events like craft fairs. The key is observation - get it right first time around, and it'll save a lot of tedious exchanges or faintly embarassing visits to the jewellers for adjustments!
If you haven't come up with anything to suit, ask yourself 'What are their enthusiasms - cinema, sports, New Age crystal type things or whatever?' A particular personality or musician they admire? What are they about to do in their life? For instance, if they're about to undertake a journey, how about something to protect them or remind them of home or yourself, such as a rune pendant, symbol or locket?
If you're still stuck you can have a look at my 'Helpful Guides' section for more ideas, or email me for advice; I won't try to sell you my designs unless I think them appropriate, but I can often make up a custom piece to your specifications.
Getting it Right: Allergies ...
An important thing you need to think about when you're buying jewellery for someone else is whether they suffer from metal allergies - it rather takes the gloss off if your recipient comes out in a ghastly rash! You can subtly enquire 'Those earrings are great - are they silver?" (Most people will volunteer info about allergies in this situation). But if you don't know, there are some guidelines to help:
1) Base Metal Allergies: a lot of people suffer from nickel or base-metal allergies, so ensure the part of the jewelry most in contact with the skin is stated as being hypo/anti-allergenic or pure metal plated - silver, gold, titanium, platinum or rhodium plated, or surgical steel. Nowadays copper, brass and black jewellery components are coated in polymer resin for just this reason, and pewter (an amalgam of tin and antimony), is used primarily for brooches, charms and pendants, mounted on silver where the item is in contact with the skin. This should cover you safely. If you're not sure, ask the seller/designer before you buy.
2) Metal Intolerance: A small minority of people are sensitive to even plated items, and can only wear pure precious metals, or are sensitive to specific metals. If you suspect this is the case, try to find out first. If this isn't possible, it's best to stick to brooches/earrings for women (the earwires can be changed) or cufflinks/tieclips for men.
To extend your options, if you know they wear a mixture, being extra careful about what's in contact with the skin, to allow things like necklaces and bracelets, go for any of the following:
hallmarked Gold; 18 or 22 carat Gold plating (a heavy plate); hallmarked Platinum; Platinum plating (again, by nature a thick plate); Sterling Silver (which will be hallmarked) or Bali/Thai Hill Tribe (the purest silvers); Vermeil (heavy 14/18ct Gold plate over Sterling silver); or Gold Filled (heavy 14/18ct gold plate over brass). These latter two platings are used for very hardwearing 'lifetime' jewellery, so you're pretty safe.
Pure Niobium, Titanium and Surgical Steel are also safe - these are stable metals, generally used for body jewelry or skin contact fittings like earwires.
I always state in my descriptions the primary metal that will be in contact with the skin.
Getting it Right: Gold, Silver ... errr?
Different precious metals suit different skin types and colourings. As previously mentioned, a bit of time and observation can steer you towards your recipient's favourite, but if they're flexible or you're not sure, here's a rough guideline:
Yellow Gold 9ct pure or plate
A soft gold which looks good on honey, olive, brown or black skin, and fair skins (natural or tanned) with dark or blonde hair without looking 'brassy'. Doesn't really work with the more yellow Far Eastern skintones.
Yellow Gold 14/18/24ct pure or plate
A more pure gold, with a distinct, strong colour. Best on olive, Asian and black skin, it can be striking and exotic on fair skin with very dark red/brunette/black hair. Avoid on tanned fair skin with fair hair - it'll look cheap, however much you spend!
White Gold, all carats and plated
Unsurprisingly, a very white metallic colour, which, unlike silver, doesn't fight with very fair, Nordic colouring - pale skin and blonde or red hair. Striking on olive, Asian and black skin.
Rose Gold, all carats and plated
A pale coppery colour, which suits most colourings, but is particularly stunning with light to mid-brown hair.
Silver, pure, plated, Bali and Hill Tribe
A clear, bright colour which is great for fair, honey and olive skin with red or dark/black hair, and Asian or black skin. Stick to old/vintage silver for blondes - the natural bloom of age stops it 'fighting' with the recipient's colouring.
Platinum/Rhodium, pure or plate
Hard silver-coloured metals that don't tarnish easily, looking best on fair/honey skin with dark red/dark hair, and olive, Asian and black skins. Not suitable for blondes with fair skin.
Copper
Works beautifully with fair-to-olive skin and mid or dark brown hair, especially if there are reddish tones, like auburn, but fights with full-on red hair. Striking with fair-to-olive skin and black hair, awful with Far Eastern skin, but great with brown or black skin. Works well too with strawberry blondes (blonde with reddish elements). As with silver, overpowering on blondes with fair skin.
Pewter/Tibetan Silver
A shiny, silver-grey-coloured amalgam of tin, copper and antimony, particularly popular for historical jewellery reproductions as it gives a nice antique look. Suits most colourings, but, as with silver, can be overpowering on blondes with fair skin if over-polished.
Getting it Right: What Star Sign?
A list of zodiac signs and their dates can be found in the Scorpion/Star Sign Jewellery section.