Sunday, December 28, 2008

How to Buy Jewelry for Women - Ideas for Men

By Blue Lily

Buying jewelry a woman can be challenging. When it's done right, it's a romantic, meaningful and even magical gesture. It can also be daunting, even intimidating process. But a little knowledge, planning, and preparation can go a long way towards making you hero of the story.

The variety of options will make your head spin. There are earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings and many different categories of each. As for metals, your choices include silver, platinum, yellow gold, white gold and more. Let's talk gems for a second. Anytime you have a choice, pick a small authentic gem over a large fake one. Have doubts? Ask a woman.

To figure out what she wants, listen when she talks about jewelry. Some women like to drop hints. Think about her personality and lifestyle. If she's conservative, she might like simple, classic jewelry. Does she enjoy handmade or artisan items? Consider something unique and handcrafted made with fine materials. Does she line frills and lace? You get the idea. Do any of these styles show up in her jewelry box?

The quickest way to determine her sizes is to friends and family. Another option is to measure the pieces in her jewelry box. If none of those options work, consider taking some of her jewelry pieces to the jewelry store so they can size them for you.

To determine how much to spend, consider the occasion from her point of view. The more meaningful the occasion to her, the more you can spend. That means every anniversary is important! Her first Mother's Day is very important, although you really don't need to go crazy. How about a charm bracelet or a ring with the baby's birthstone? You do have the birthstone list, right?

Bring yourself up to speed before you're ready to purchase anything. Do your homework online. The knowledge you gain will help make the shopping experience a lot more comfortable. The goal is to make a thoughtful, personal purchase. You certainly don't need a piece of jewelry that turns her finger green. The bottom line is: Learn about jewelry quality. It will save you some grief in the long term.

Shopping doesn't come naturally to many guys. We often avoid it. There's a saying: women shop, men buy. But you'll have to do at a little shopping this time to find the right gift. If you've done your homework, you'll be fine. Visit several jewelry stores and compare value and quality, not just price. Buy from an established company.

Remember why you've gone through all this. The gift should help express some emotion to your woman. To maximize the impact, consider exactly how to give it to her. Should it be a romantic setting? Or should it be an unexpected surprise? Don't be afraid to be original. Do this part right and she'll remember it for a long, long time. - 15485

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