Friday, January 2, 2009

Buying 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.

Choices - There are enough jewelry choices to make your hair stand on end. They include rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and categories within categories of each. Then there is yellow gold (how many karats?), white gold, two tone, platinum, silver. What about gems? Make a note - when considering gems, real is always better than fake. A small authentic gem is always preferable to a large fake one. Don't believe me? Ask a woman.

To determine what she may like, watch what your woman likes to wear. Take a peek in her jewelry box. Women usually have some very specific ideas about what kind of jewelry they link and want. Pay attention because details matter. The next time you visit the mall together, make it a point to visit some jewelry counters. Pay attention to what catches her eye.

What size should you buy? Your options are limited here. First, ask her family & friends. If that doesn't work, measure any rings, necklaces, and in her jewelry box. As a last resort, sneak one or more of the pieces into a jewelry store so they can size it for you. Make notes for later on.

To figure out how much to spend, look at the occasion from her point of view. A first anniversary is very important. The 5th, 10th, 25th, 30th, are also important occasions. On these milestones, consider a nice piece of jewelry that conveys the importance of the occasion.

Where to start? Start by surfing the Web. Learn jewelry basics. Learn about different metals, and gems. Get a feel for prices. Locate some retailers in your area. Do you need a list of birthstones? Make notes. This information will be useful for future purchases.

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.

Now you're almost ready to do the giving. Remember why you've gone through this. To help express an emotion to the woman you love. Now think about how you'd like to present the gift with the maximum impact. Will it be an unexpected surprise? How about a romantic setting? Be original. If you get it right, she'll remember it for a long time. - 16083

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