Many of us love receiving jewellery as a gift. However, a lot can go wrong when choosing an item of jewellery. To make sure you make the right purchase, here are 10 things you mustn’t overlook when buying jewellery for a loved one.
Budget
Jewellery isn’t something you should be getting yourself into debt for. Start by setting a strict budget based on what you can afford, and avoid going over this. If you can’t afford the perfect piece of jewellery yet, consider prolonging your purchase so you can save up some more money.
Size
You need to make sure jewellery is the right size for your recipient. This is particularly important when buying rings – which often cannot be easily adjusted. There are a few different ways to find out someone’s ring size (including these sneaky methods if you’re buying a surprise ring).
Metal allergies
Some people have allergies to certain types of metal. Nickel, chromium and cobalt are the most common metals that people have reactions to. Do you research before buying metal jewellery, or opt for a hypoallergenic material to be safe.
Engravings
Personalised jewellery can often be more meaningful. One great way to personalise jewellery is to consider a custom engraving. There are many jewellers that offer this service.
Birthstones
There are different birthstones relating to different months. Choosing a birthstone that matches the month your recipient was born can be another great way of personalising jewellery.
The magnet test
Buying gold or silver jewellery and want to make sure that it’s genuine? Running a magnet over jewellery can be a great way to determine this – if it sticks to the magnet, it means that there is iron, cobalt or nickel in the metal (which means it’s not pure gold or silver).
The 4 Cs
If you’re buying diamond jewellery, it’s worth researching the diamond grading system. Known as the 4 Cs, this system is used to determine the cut, carat, clarity and colour of a diamond. A higher grade diamond will look more impressive. However, it will also cost more.
Packaging
The right jewellery box will help protect your gift and improve its presentation when handing it to your recipient. Most jewellery bought new will come with a box, but second-hand jewellery may not come with a box. You can buy jewellery boxes online – including custom ring and necklace boxes.
Shipping time
Purchasing jewellery online? Make sure to consider the shipping time to make sure that it arrives in time. If you’re ordering custom jewellery, you’ll need to factor in the time it takes to manufacture the jewellery – in some cases there could be queues lasting several weeks.
Return policy
Just in case you buy jewellery that is the wrong size or not to your recipient’s liking, it could be worth checking the return policy beforehand. Some jewellers will not allow jewellery to be returned or resized, while others will allow a window within which you can send back jewellery along with the option of a refund/exchange.
