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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Jewelry Shopping 101: Emergency Guide for Guys

By Art Barron

Most men find it frustrating to shop for Valentine jewelry for their girl, and you are likely to be one of them too. Lots of questions come up. What does she like? Where to shop? How do you know if you're buying the right piece? So many questions, and there seems to be no straight answer for each one.

There's no need to worry. It is not a shame to perplexed. To make you feel better, most men do find it challenging to shop for jewelry.

Your pre-Valentine jewelry excursion need not be a disaster. Here are some signposts to point you in the right direction:

First things first, do a recon and find out what she likes.

It doesn't mean that because it's the latest fashion trend and it's mighty expensive your girl will adore it. There are some women who prefer small and subtle baubles; there are others who go for huge and flashy ones. There are some women who prefer the more reserved and elegant; there are others who go for daring and playful ones. Still, there are others whose preferences include materials. Some love gold, others silver. There are even a number of women who are obsessed over specific stones.

How to know what she likes? Don't rely on the store owner; he doesn't know your girl! Start by checking out what she wears often. Raid her jewelry box. Snap a picture of her typical get-up complete with jewelry and shows a copy to the saleslady. You can also ask her fashion-savvy best friend. If you can pull it off, accompany her as she window shops and observe what gems she gravitates to.

Design should be the first thing on your mind

Hearts can be commonly found on Valentines Day and it is a surefire choice. It perfectly conforms to the occasion, plus it can be worn all-year round. The heart also signifies the emotion being felt along with the gift. By picking out a heart-shaped jewel, you are clearly sending out your message of love.

Please do remember that you can choose not to buy heart-shaped jewels on Valentines Day. And, there are also some women who are not interested in wearing jewels with hearts on them. If you find that your girl is one of them, look for something else. There's plenty of flexibility when it comes to Valentines Day jewelry gifts. There's no obligation to stay with the concept.

You can always choose some other design to make your jewelry unique and special. If your girl is the practical type, then small, sturdy silver earrings can work out fine. If she's flashy, dangling earrings are the ones for you. You can also opt to make jewelry that is specific for the two of you, for example, if you're both into sports, a charm full of different kinds of sports equipment or something along those lines.

Canvass.

A common mistake for many guys is to pop into the nearest store and grab the nearest item at hand. DON'T DO THIS. The more stores you visit, the better chance you'll have at finding and picking the best gift there is out there. Always do it ahead of time, at least you'll have both options and schedule on your side.

Don't limit yourself to the typical stall in the mall. Find a vintage shop, browse online or look for those small family-based businesses that make custom jewelry setting an art form. If you're on a budget, check out the local pawnshop. You can also check if family heirlooms can be resized or modernized.

Take note that wherever you may have bought your jewelry, get an authenticity certificate. This proves that you spent your hard earned cash on the real thing.

Leave her the choice.

Now if jewelry shopping really has you stumped, here's an idea: why don't you just let her choose? Depending on how you package it, making them pick what they like can still be really romantic.

Now if you're worried that your girl might choose something more than what you've bargained for, you can befriend the salesperson in advance. You can tell him your price range and arrange a selection for your girl to view in private. It's really romantic for you to choose it together.

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