Women have long enjoyed being given a piece of jewelry as a gift and in modern times it is becoming an increasingly popular present to give to men and children as well. There are many reasons for this – in particular it can become a treasured possession which can easily be handed down to future generations and depending on the quality of the piece it may well increase in value over time. But there are many points to consider when you plan to give a jewelry gift:

1. There are so many celebrations that can be made even more special with the gift of jewelry. Perhaps the most obvious one is a marriage proposal and the presentation of the engagement ring, closely followed by the exchange of rings during the wedding ceremony. A personalized heart necklace or bracelet make an ideal gift for a new mom and her baby daughter and of course earrings and brooches make great Mother’s Day gifts. And what better way to say “well done” to your daughter or son than with a watch or pendant on their graduation.

2. The well-established jewelry stores that can be found on every Main Street and in every Mall are the traditional sources for buying jewelry. Not only do they have a wide selection of products to choose from they can also help the buyer determine the quality and suitability of the gift.

But a new trend that has arisen with the development of the Internet is the growth in online jewelry stores. They are frequently able to offer lower prices because they avoid the expensive overheads of traditional stores. The Internet also enables the buyer to compare prices, quality and customer service at a wide variety of stores with minimal effort.

Being able to compare and contrast different products will help you find the special gift you are looking for whether that is a diamond watch, heart pendant or a gold bracelet to accessorize a new outfit.

3. Because women more often than not like to match up certain pieces of jewelry with outfits in their wardrobe, men often find it tricky to know exactly what to buy. Should it be gold earrings, necklace and bracelet to highlight the silky shirt or diamonds and pearls for that special evening gown?

As a result, the male shopper needs to understand her tastes and preferences in clothes styles and colors, as well as her likes and dislikes for, say, diamonds, silver or gold jewelry before making a decision.

4. Ladies can have as much difficulty choosing the right piece of jewelry for the man in their life. Cuff links are a great present but if he never wears a formal shirt then it’s not a good idea. And for some men the thought of wearing anything other than a wristwatch would make them very uncomfortable. On the other hand some guys are happy to wear bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

So before rushing out to buy that gold medallion for the man in her life a lady needs to first check out what his tastes and preferences are and if he has any particular “no nos”.

5. Teenagers are another difficult group to buy jewelry for. Although they may profess to be an individual with a mind of their own who doesn’t follow the “herd”, teenage insecurities, fashion and peer pressure all play a role in their lives.

Observing their dress style and accessories may give you an idea about the latest teen fashion and help in your choice. It could prove to be an embarrassing mistake if you picked a piece of silver jewelry that they considered to be outdated and not suitable for “with it” teens. It is also worth considering when and where the recipient could wear your gift without risk or reprimand – a gold necklace or expensive watch may not be appropriate for school or some public places.

Clearly there is a need to think very carefully before setting off for the Mall or jumping online to make a purchase ” but equally clearly, jewelry makes a fine gift for friends, relatives and loved ones of all ages with just a small amount of forethought. No wonder it is so popular!