The FJ guide to: buying jewellery for your loved ones

Things to consider before you buy the bling.

Jewellery is a tough gift to buy. Get it right and you’ll be a gift-giving champion. Get it wrong and you’ll be faced with a fake smile and that awkward “ohhh….thanks, it’s so… pretty.”

So it’s important you nail it. Jewellery is a great present because there’s something for virtually anyone. If you do a little research, getting your purchase right isn’t actually that hard at all.

We thought we’d help you kids out. We’ve put together a list of things to consider before you buy the bling.

The Giftee

Okay, this step is easy enough. Who are you buying for?

You want to get a good understanding of the person’s style. Things to consider are wardrobe (do they wear conservative, business or are they casual?), hobbies and occupation. You’re not going to buy a delicate pearl ring for a landscape gardener now are ya?

Personality traits are also hugely helpful. Are they a free spirit? Then maybe something bohemian will be up their alley. Are they sophisticated? Then maybe an antique style is the perfect piece.

FJ intern Roula, knows all too well the awkward feeling of being given jewellery you don’t like. “I once received a watch as a gift that I absolutely hated. It was gold and had an incredibly small face and it just didn’t look good on me. But I wore if a few times around the person I received it from, then boxed it up and never touched it again.”

Their jewellery

Take note of what your giftee wears on a regular basis. Do they wear jewellery daily? If so, what pieces? There’s no point in buying someone earrings if it turns out they don’t have their ears pierced. You want to get something that seamlessly fits the wearer’s existing collection. Ask yourself about the person. Do they wear gold or silver? Do they wear slick minimal items or flashy statement pieces?

“You know they only have the best intentions,” says FJ intern Laura. “But some people should just avoid giving jewellery as a gift. Every year my mum tries and fails. A few years ago it was a necklace with a bedazzled pendant engraved with ‘love.’ I wasn’t lovin’ it. Next were earrings made of scrabble pieces. Nice try but I don’t have my ears pierced. This year it was a silver necklace with a bird, so that I would fly home safely. She was so close… but I don’t wear silver. Jewellery is so personal, sometimes even your mum can’t get it right.”

The meaning

The reason that jewellery is such a great gift, is that it can be extremely personal and symbolic. Do you want the jewellery to represent an occasion or emotion? Aside from birthstones, styles in themselves can hold some symbolism.

Rings typically mean eternity, while knotted embellishments represent unbreakable bonds.

If you’re not looking to symbolise romantic love, a customisable option may be a good choice. Charms and pendants come in a range of styles, shapes, colours and symbols, meaning you can create a perfectly unique item.

If you’re shopping for a family member, tradition may be the way to go. “My all-time favourite piece of jewellery ever (and I own a lot), is a pearl necklace given to me for my 18th birthday. It’s a tradition in our family that I’d totally forgotten about,” says our online editor, Giulia. “When I opened the box I was so moved. It’s so special to me that I still refuse to wear it. I don’t trust myself to not lose it!”

The size

Size matters.There’s no point in buying the perfect ring or bracelet, if the recipient can’t wear it. The tricky part is figuring out a subtle way to get their size, without blowing your cover. Trust us, it’s super frustrating to receive something you love, only to not have it fit. Taking the time to ensure a good fit, makes the gift all the more personal.

“I got a silver filigree ring for Christmas,” says editorial coordinator Veronica. “Unfortunately, it was too small and although I loved it, I didn’t get around to getting it expanded. I finally got around to it six moths later but had to outlay $80 to get it to fit.”

So there you have it. Now go forth and shop, Mother’s Day is the perfect way to test your new gift-giving skills. And if you’re still stuck, try Pandora’s gift finder.

This article is brought to you by Pandora’s Poetic Blooms collection.

FJ’s top Pandora pieces: