Ep. 55 - How to Surprise Her with Jewelry You Know She'll Love So You Won't Feel Like an Idiot

Buy Like a Guy

In this episode I'll address another great question from a listener. He asked, “What are some best-sellers or guaranteed things I can get that fall in the range of a 'safe surprise gift'? I’m asked this question in one form or another all the time, and it sounds something like this, "What sort of jewelry should I get if I want to surprise her, and KNOW that she’s going to love it and I’m not going to look like an idiot? How do I know that she’s going to love what I pick? Jeez, where do I even start?" When you start looking for jewelry to give to those special people in your life, it can get overwhelming fast. Those of you who are regular listeners know that I’m a HUGE proponent of going to a local jewelry store, one that you can call, "my jeweler." (The same way most of us have a preferred dentist, auto-shop, accounting firm, maybe even a favorite deli or restaurant.) Independent jewelry stores are the kind of place where you’ll get the most help, and quite frankly, the jewelry is better at places like this. So that’s rule number one for those of you that don’t know: find your place…a local independent jewelry store, and then find your guy, or girl, on the inside and let them guide you. Of course, even if you have your place, and you’ve been there before, when you walk in, that overwhelming feeling can hit you in a matter of seconds. Split seconds actually. Why? Because it’s expensive stuff, it’s under glass, you have to ask someone to take it out for you before you can hold it and look at it closer…and there’s just so damn much of it! That’s why your guy on the inside, or girl, is so pivotal because he or she will have killer suggestions to help you be successful in your jewelry buying and giving endeavor. Most times guys don’t have any idea of where to start, but it's easy if you break it down into a few fail-safe categories. Start with diamonds. Women love getting diamond jewelry as a gift, especially if it’s from someone they care about deeply, who also cares about them. I covered this last year, in Episode 5, called 'The Top 5 Jewelry Gift Guide for Guys,' and you’ll be happy to know, this list hasn’t changed since then. Actually, it hasn’t changed since forever, which is a good thing because generations of men(mostly)have been successful gift givers by staying in one of the following five diamond category lanes. I'm restating them here, and then I’ll tell you what to do if you’ve already given these 5 fail safe jewelry gift ideas, PLUS one design that is NOT a safe bet. (Buy with caution!) #1: Diamond Stud earrings. A single diamond that she wears in each ear. It’s in a simple setting that holds the diamond. I’ve heard guys call them 'plain diamond earrings.' They’re beautiful, and if she doesn’t have a pair, she wants them. There may be some exceptions…but it’s a teeny, tiny, fraction of women out there…so you gotta’ go with the odds on this one. #2: A diamond pendant. If she has the studs…get her a matching pendant. Word of caution: there are a billion different diamond pendants, so I would start with a solitaire pendant. It’s a single diamond on a chain. Just like the studs…it’s clean and beautiful and sends a powerful message. If she already has a solitaire, you can branch out, and pick something with a little more pizazz. This is where your guy or girl on the inside is invaluable because they are willing and ready to recommend something that will compliment the rest of her jewelry wardrobe. #3: Diamond Hoop Earrings: They look pretty much like they sound. They're like hoola-hoops that drop down below her ear lobe. (You’ve seen ‘em a thousand times even if you didn’t know what you were looking at.) If she doesn’t have them, she should. I have a little message in the episode for the ladies who love their studs, and don't have hoops. #4: A diamond tennis bracelet, also called an Inline bracelet: This is the bracelet you’ve seen where the diamonds go all the way around her wrist. Price alert on this one! They can be a little pricey, especially if they’re bigger diamonds, of high quality because you’ll be giving her 30, 40, maybe 50 diamonds at one time. But it’s an exceedingly elegant gift, and now we have something called Lab Grown diamonds. Some jewelers like them, others don’t, but the fact remains that as of this episode, with lab-grown diamonds, you can get a lot of tennis bracelet for less money than ever before. Whether you choose natural diamonds or lab-grown diamonds is a personal choice, and something you should discuss with your jewelry sales associate, to find the one that’s right for you. #5: A ring: This one that comes with a disclaimer. If you’re gonna’ give a ring…mean it. A ring is the most emotionally charged piece of jewelry a guy or girl can give to another person. So, if she’s the one…and you know it…and she knows it, and you’ve talked about marriage and you’re psyched about it and you’re both feeling it and you want to ask her to marry you…then forget the other 4, and get the ring. The reverse is also true. If you’re not in that realm at all…and you’re looking for a place to start…then don’t start with a ring...start with the diamond studs and go from there. What if you’ve already given her all of these things, and she loved getting them…what do you do? Where do you go from there? My suggestion, as usual, is to talk to your friendly jewelry sales consultant, and do just that…consult. Let he or she know what you’ve already given her, what the occasion is, and then the two of you can plot your next move. They’ll know what’s fresh and new, and they can and will make suggestions because it's their job to help you be successful. I would also suggest asking them about favorite designers they carry because designer lines are almost a Life Hack on how to find cool jewelry. There's an added bonus in that most legit designers have collections that you can build on, and that makes future gift giving a breeze! There is one gift that is NOT a safe bet, even if it’s made with the best diamonds or gemstones possible. Sorry to break it to you fellas, but it's heart shaped jewelry. I know it's the universal symbol of love, but for many, many women…most women actually…wearing a piece of jewelry that’s shaped like a heart seems a bit too “cutsey." It's the word we hear most often when we ask why they would prefer something other than heart jewelry. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule so if she tells you she loves heart jewelry…then that’s what you should be looking at when you go into the jewelry store. Just be 100% sure she wants heart-shaped jewelry. Follow these guidelines, and I promise, you’ll be able to surprise her with the gift of fine jewelry, make her feel special and cherished (your goal) and you’ll look like a hero in the process. It’s a piece of cake, fella’s. These are diamonds, set in precious metal, designed to be noticed, and it comes from you. Ultimately that’s about all there really is to know. Like I said. It’s a piece of cake. Now go forth and buy that surprise gift, and give it to her like the man that you are! If you want to talk with me personally you can email me at [e-mail]. I'm happy to personally help you find the right jewelry for your situation, or put you in touch with a trusted jewelry pro that's closer to home.

Music credits: Preacher Man by Miles Neilson and The Rusted Hearts, used with permission. A killer band with original songs that get stuck in your head. They're awesome.

Listen To Preacher Man on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/7ImcaJKIk0ZVtPzuUVV4vc?si=80581c74a9be4987