Whether you want to buy the perfect gift for your mother, wife, or girlfriend, you can never go wrong with gold. No matter how many trends come and go, there will always be something timeless and irresistible about this sophisticated precious metal. From dainty bracelets to opulent statement necklaces, you can find a stunning gold piece for everyone, regardless of their age and style.
However, shopping for gold jewellery isn’t always easy. First of all, quality jewellery comes at a cost and you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. And secondly, gold comes in so many styles that choosing one single piece can be very confusing.
If you have a special occasion coming up and you want to buy the perfect gift for a loved one, this guide will help you understand the types of gold jewellery and how to choose the right one.
Start by choosing the gold fineness
Before you start looking into the many types of necklaces, earrings, and rings, you have to decide on the gold fineness or purity, which is measured in karats.
Even if you’re not the kind of person who wears jewellery, you’ve probably heard the phrase “24 karat gold” used a lot, and that’s because 24 karat is the purest kind of gold, without any other metals being added into the mix. 24 karat pieces are more expensive and have a bright yellow car, but before you head to the nearest luxury jewellery seller, keep in mind that 24 karat gold is rarely recommended for jewellery because it is very soft, malleable and doesn’t withstand damage.
For jewellery, lower purity levels are recommended. In general, 10 and 12 karat is a good option for everyday jewellery that has to resist a lot of wear and tear, while 18 and 22 karat is more appropriate for special occasions.
The right colour of gold?
Gold jewellery is… gold, right?
Well, not necessarily. In addition to the classic yellow colour, gold can be mixed with other metals and alloys to get interesting shades. For example:
• White gold is obtained by adding nickel, copper and zinc. This option is recommended for women who love silver, but want something that maintains its shine.
• Rose gold is a fashion-forward option that has become very popular recently and that’s usually preferred by younger women. It is obtained by adding copper.
Green, purple, and black gold also exist, but they’re less common. Feel free to pick whatever colour your loved one prefers most and don’t worry about coloured gold being less valuable. White, rose or green are just as valuable as yellow.
What jewellery item should you choose?
Once you’ve set your budget and decided on the purity and colour, you can get to the fun part: choosing the type of jewellery item to impress your loved one.
Gold is used for a huge variety of items, so you can find everything from a gold necklace for women to dangling earrings and brooches. Although it’s hard not to be tempted to buy the one that looks the most elegant or the most expensive, try to be practical and buy something that your loved one would actually wear. If you’ve never seen her wear a bracelet, then there’s no point in buying her one because she won’t enjoy it. Instead, have a sneak peek inside her jewellery box and see what kind of items she checks out while you’re shopping together.
Subtle or statement?
There are two types of gold jewellery lovers: those who prefer subtle, understated items and those who want to make a statement.
It’s very important to know what kind of style your loved one prefers before buying her something, because you don’t want your gift to miss the mark.
If she prefers subtle accessories, go for a timeless pair of stud earrings, or a delicate necklace with a small pendant. Minimalist pieces inspired by Scandinavian design are very popular, so you can get her something with a simple, geometric shape.
If she prefers statement jewellery, then your best options are a large statement necklace, a wide bracelet, or an extra-large ring. You can also choose pieces that mix several colours of gold.
If you’re not sure, then choose something classic. Gold is always elegant and sophisticated and even if you choose a “traditional” model, the metal will speak for itself.
With or without gemstones?
Whether you buy your gift online or in physical stores, you’ll find options both with and without gemstones and again, this is a matter of personal preference.
Many fans of gold say that this metal looks its best on its own and that adding too many gemstones has an overwhelming effect.
In general, gold goes best with classic, versatile gemstones such as diamonds and pearls. These are also excellent options if you are buying a gift for your mother or someone over 40. If the recipient of the gift is someone younger, then you can experiment with trendier designer pieces that mix gold with coloured gemstones such as pink tourmaline or jadeite.
Some wise tips when shopping for gold jewellery
These days, you will find stunning gold jewellery both in large stores and in small boutiques, so you will be spoilt for choice. However, keep in mind that not every shop is reliable. Unfortunately, there have been many cases when clients bought what they believed to be high-quality 18 karat jewellery, only to discover that they had flaws and looked quite cheap.
Before making your purchase, double check the store’s reliability and find out if the items come with a certificate of authenticity. Also, look through the reviews to see if the store offers easy returns. If your loved one isn’t too happy with your gift, you want to be able to return or exchange it without much hassle.
