The holiday gifting season is coming up fast and if you’re considering buying your partner, spouse, or someone else a piece of jewelry, The Jewelers Circle has a few pointers to help you choose the perfect vintage jewel for that special person in your life.
Getting Started
While selecting jewelry for someone else may seem daunting, it just comes down to a little detective work. Start by looking at the person you are gifting, you’ll find many clues that will help you select vintage jewelry that will be loved for many years to come. Look at hair color and length, eye color and skin tone, these will help you decide which metals and gemstones will be most flattering.
Pro Tip: Rose gold is universally flattering, it looks good on all skin tones and it blends well with other metals. It may be worn with yellow gold for a vintage vibe, or worn with platinum for a more modern mood.
Hair color is important to note as well. If someone is blonde and you want to buy earrings, make sure that they will show up next to a light hair color. Brunettes will always look good in classic yellow gold, but white metals also work for those with darker tresses. Hair length is also notable, is it long and worn down, or swept into an updo or ponytail, or is it short and carefree?
Earrings are always a good choice for gifting. First notice if your spouse wears earrings. Then notice the earrings themselves. Are they long and dangling, a drop, or a small earring that sits on the lobe? Do they have more than one piercing in the ear, if so, earrings for additional piercings are always a great option.
Pro Tip: You may have to observe someone for a few days to really get a feel for their style.
Personal Style and Jewelry Gifts
Next look at how the person dresses. Is your beloved glamorous, sporty, bohemian, goth or preppy? Any of these styles will have its own dress codes and jewelry that will work with it. Glamour always calls for lots of diamonds. Gleaming gold, or shining silver works well for sporty. Color and unique materials are perfect for the bohemian on your list, while the goth crowd may be enthralled by Georgian or Victorian era jewelry. For preppy style, basic pearls or gold link chains are always correct.
Most importantly, look at the jewelry that your beloved is wearing. Are the metals white, or yellow? If the metals are white, that is a good clue that something in platinum, silver or white gold will be appreciated, if the metal is yellow, then stick to yellow gold. If your sweetheart is wearing gemstones, notice the color, or type of gemstone. This is a good hint as to what type of gems to look for in a jewelry piece. For more options on gemstones, think about a birthstone. Most people love their birthstone and it makes a gift very personal. If you don’t know the birthstones for each month, you’ll find them through a quick online search. When it comes to gemstones, diamonds speak volumes. It’s a gem that will always be appreciated and their pristine whiteness goes with all skin tones and hair colors. Vintage jewelry with old cut diamonds, is a really special way to gift these highly desired gems.
Pro Tip: If you know your sweetie’s favorite color, you’ll probably be able to find a gemstone in that hue.
Choosing the Type of Jewelry
When you’re looking at the jewelry that the person you’re gifting is wearing, notice the type of jewelry — earrings, necklace, bangles, rings, brooches or cufflinks, which one is being worn? Necklaces or pendants are a relatively easy gift because there is no sizing involved except for the length of the chain. Brooches are perfect for someone who likes to make a personal style statement. Bangles are always fun, but make sure that the person you are gifting likes to wear bracelets. Rings are always a welcome gift, but sizing can be tricky.
Pro Tip: If you don’t know the ring size, it’s easy to find out. Wait until your loved one takes off their rings. Then take the ring, this is easiest with a simple band, lay it on a flat piece of paper and trace around the inside of the ring. Take it with you for sizing purposes when you go to buy the ring. Remember with a ring you may need to make some adjustments to the size after it is gifted.
Jewelry basics such as a vintage gold link necklace or bracelet will always work, as will pearls and diamonds. If the gift isn’t meant to be a surprise, you can also make it easy by asking the other person what they would like to have. Then to add an element of surprise, go off on your own to buy what your beloved desires.
Top of Page: Diamond and 18-karat gold bracelet.
Diamond, coral and 18-karat gold earrings, circa 1970s; Victorian diamond, enamel and silver topped 15-karat yellow gold brooch; Diamond and 14-karat gold ring, circa 1960s.
Authored by Amber Michelle