Jewelry Essentials for Every Woman

There are a few items that should be on every woman’s jewelry wishlist.  In addition to an engagement ring or wedding band, here is my list:

Pearls.

I love pearls: they are classic and stunning in a quiet, glowing sort of way.  With some recent advancements in technology, there are some really amazing colors, shapes and designs that are quite affordable.  A complete list would be white 7-8mm Akoyas in about a 20 inch length, an 18 inch strand of Tahitian South Seas, and something really fun in Chinese freshwaters (pinks, copper, pistachio-green), like this strand from Pearlparadise.com.

Multi-color Freshwater Pearl Necklace by pearlparadise.com

Diamond solitaire earrings.

These are a must for those days you can’t think of anything else to wear, they are always appropriate.  Size depends on your personal taste and budget.  I prefer large, because I am tall and wear mine almost every day.  I think a perfect place to start for most people would be 3/4 to 1 carat total weight (.33 to .50 carat each diamond), H-I color, SI1-SI2 clarity, in a simple basket mounting, like these from Blue Nile.

1 ct tw Diamond Solitaire Earrings by Blue Nile

A great watch.

Sorry, your cellphone clock will just not cut it as an accessory.  You need a nice watch, just how serious is up to your personality and budget.  You can go for something rugged enough for everyday use that you can still dress up, like Rolex, Tag-Heuer, or Omega.  Or go straight for the luxe, like Jaeger LeCoultre , or the Patek Philippe Twenty-4:

Patek Philippe Twenty-4 in Steel with Diamonds

Diamond bracelet.

Ever since Edwardian-era intricate cuffs or Art Deco designs stacked up the wrist, diamond bracelets have been a classic jewelry wardrobe item.  You can go for vintage glamour with an original straight-line, or for a modern interpretation of the ubiquitous tennis bracelet.  My choice would be an original from an estate dealer with a pedigree like Tiffany or Raymond Yard, or a new number in white gold or platinum, 2-12 carats, G-I color and SI1-SI2 clarity.  I love this half-bezel mounting design available on Amazon.com (there are many other styles, sizes, and price ranges available) :

Bezel-set Diamond Bracelet from Amazon.com

Hoop earrings.

Every woman needs a pair of gold or white gold hoops for every day, and if you’re really lucky maybe something with diamonds.  I would love something delicate and beautiful like these from Nicole Landaw,

18 Karat gold and diamond hoops by Nicole Landaw, $2800 retail

and then maybe something bold and sparkly like these:

Diamond Hoop Earrings by Gabrielle Diamonds, 2.25 ct tw

There are so many amazing jewelry designs out there that it’s easy to get overwhelmed.  This list is a place to start.  Happy Shopping!

Internet Jewelry Buying–Are We There Yet?

A new survey released from Ad-ology Research offers some interesting insight into consumer influences of jewelry and watch purchases.  According to their survey, nearly half of survey respondents said that a manufacturer’s or retailer’s website influenced their purchase of jewelry or watches.  Especially effective were online videos, which for some watchmakers (check out a Tag Heuer video here) resemble mini-movies, combining entertainment with information (similar to BMW’s “movie” approach to marketing).  Online marketing seems to be moving that direction, and since 1 in 5 men ages 18-24 cite that those ads impacted their watch decision, I wouldn’t be surprised if more branded jewelry and watch manufacturers utilize it.

So consumers are using the Internet to research jewelry and watches online, and some online media really resonates.  What really struck me is that after researching online—and this is significant—nearly 84% of respondents said that they prefer to purchase from an offline store versus online.  I’m not totally surprised: jewelry is an expensive, infrequent purchase that requires some amount of trust in the transaction.  Some people just really want to see the sparkle and deal face-to-face.  Another factor could be the shopping experience itself: 63.5% of those surveyed said that store reputation (and 65.9% said the sales staff itself) was an important factor in their jewelry or watch purchase. 

It’s tempting to say that online shoppers are mostly looking for a deal and sensitive to price, but I think this survey shows that entertainment, experience, reputation and knowledge are important across the board.  I love looking at jewelry online, but it’s much better trying something on in person!  In future posts, I plan to review online websites to see who is trustworthy, and I will also offer some guidance to select an offline jeweler near you so that no matter what your buying philosophy is, you can make a great jewelry decision.