You stand in front of a glimmering shop window, sweating profusely in panic at the plethora of diamonds, earrings and necklaces before you. An advisor invites you in, asking what should be simple questions, such as, ‘What’s your partner’s style?’, ‘What’s her ring size?’ and ‘What’s your budget?’, which you respond to with an awkward silence before buying something completely wrong, forgetting the receipt in the process.
We get it: jewellery shopping for your other half can be a stressful and time-consuming task. But with some easy preparations and by acquiring a few personal details beforehand, you can make this a smooth experience, resulting in a lavish gift that will have meaning for its owner. Anyone can buy someone something shiny, but only when jewellery has a story and purpose behind it does it become meaningful.
But don’t just take our word for it – we’ve recruited fashion and lifestyle expert Carl Thompson to reveal his tried-and-tested jewellery buying methods.
Confused What To Buy?
“The main thing to always keep in mind is the occasion. A delicate diamond bracelet makes for a perfect birthday present, whereas anniversaries are traditionally better celebrated with eternity rings. If you’re buying jewellery for the first time, then I would go for something that is designed to impress, such as a statement pendant.”
Esquire recommends: the 18ct white-gold 1ct diamond earrings from Ernest Jones' marquise collection features a hidden diamond to symbolise devotion. A perfect gift for any occasion.
Get The Ring Size Right
“Determining your partner’s finger size requires a modicum of sneakiness and a dusting of deception. If executed correctly, your CV will be passed on to MI5. Discreetly borrow one of her rings (make a note of which finger she wears it on) and place it on a piece of paper, then draw a circle on the inside and outside of the ring.
“Any jeweller can usually estimate the diameter of her ring from your sketch. If in doubt, opt for a slightly larger size so that it will be guaranteed to slip over her finger without the assistance of melted butter.”
Materials & Skintone
“Think about what types of skintone there are: warm, neutral and cool. Cooler tones typically suit white gold and silver, whereas yellow metals pair best with neutral skintones. I have a warm skintone, so you’ll often see me wearing copper-toned bracelets.”
Check Her Current Style (And Don’t Deviate)
“This is one area where you should play it safe. Have you ever received a DVD for Christmas in a genre you hate? The person who bought you the movie of course loves it and is convinced you will too. But don’t be that guy; study the style of your girlfriend’s jewellery instead.
“If she announces that she’s bought new earrings, ask her what she likes about them and what she would wear with them. You could take pictures to show the store assistant if you’re not confident enough to articulate her style, or even take along her best mate for backup.”
How Big Should The Diamond Be?
“You might need to brush up on this one, as a diamond is like a suit: it can be cut in many ways – oval, round, emerald etc. If you want a diamond that appears bigger than it is, then the marquise’s longer shape will do just that. It’s also not an overly common cut, so it’ll be quite a unique gift.
“You can also add embellishments to a diamond, much like you can adorn a suit with pocket squares and boutonnieres. Adding what’s known as a ‘halo’ of smaller diamonds will emphasise the stone and add more detail to the piece.”
Esquire recommends: our favourite shape of diamond is marquise as seen in Ernest Jones' diamond cluster ring, a unique take on the timeless gift of a diamond.
Whether it’s an extravagant ring, watch or necklace, show your devotion and find the right gift for that special someone at diamond and watch specialist Ernest Jones
