Words by Eleanor Hibberd
From sizing to style, jewellery is one of the most personal gifts you can choose for a loved one – which also means it’s one of the hardest. But fear not – our in-store experts are in the know. Well-seasoned in the task of foraging for perfect presents, our experienced sales assistants ensure you’re always in safe hands at Harrods. Here, we answer some common questions you may be asking as you kickstart your search.
If you’re feeling underconfident, find safety in numbers – follow the lead of others with some eternally popular choices. The gifting experts at Bvlgari advise sticking to certain categories if you want to avoid buying the wrong size: “a necklace is always a failsafe option. Earrings, too, provided that you’re sure about the piercing.” And for the style? Simple stud earrings and elegant pendants are classic choices, bound to please even the pickiest of recipients. “The Bvlgari Diva’s Dream collection is a very popular gift among our clients. They are simple, easy to wear and match any personality and outfit.” If you’re looking for something with extra sparkle, only diamonds will do – as De Beers will attest: “diamonds are so versatile that everyone can find something truly meaningful and delightful in them.” Their recommendation? “One of our most iconic collections, the Enchanted Lotus pieces make a great gift for someone who appreciates the timeless beauty of diamonds, but also wants to wear something fashion forward.” Of course, even the most popular pieces may not ring true with your loved one – never lose sight of their personality and tastes when making your choice. Share as much detail as you can with your sales assistant when in-store, so they help you to make the perfect selection.
If love is in the air, you’re already on the right track – a personal and intimate offering, all jewellery gifts can be romantic when you have thoughtfully picked out a piece for your beloved. Nevertheless, there are several iconic collections that place symbolic meaning behind your amorous intentions. To name but a few, Chaumet Liens, Cartier Love, Boodles The Knot and Tiffany & Co.’s new Tiffany Lock collections all hold symbolism of eternal, unbreakable bonds, while De Beers’ Enchanted Lotus and Bvlgari Fiorever both look to flowers to capture romantic love. If your partner is not the sentimental type, Bvlgari has the perfect alternative. Described as an “ever-evolving icon of glamour and sensuality,” the Serpenti collection is a sophisticated choice for the one you love.
Whoever said friendship jewellery was just for childhood? “There is something special about friends wearing jewellery with a similar symbol, or matching pieces like rings or bracelets,” notes De Beers. The house’s genderless RVL collection offers a range of styling possibilities, meaning both you and your friend can coordinate pieces in line with your individual styles: “the playful and fashion-forward design makes the collection perfect for gifting to friends.” Chopard’s My Happy Hearts offers a similar outcome – meaningful mini-heart motifs come in a range of finishes from red carnelian to mother of pearl, designed to be worn every day.
Just as with romantic love, rings are often used to symbolise the bond of friendship. Bvlgari’s Couples’ rings in the Serpenti Viper and B.zero1 collections work equally well for soul-mate friends, offering a coordinating pair – one for you, one for them – without appearing too matchy-matchy.
“Rings are wonderful gifts because the wearer is always able to see the beauty of the piece on their hand”, says De Beers. If you’re not looking to pop the question, cocktail rings will appeal to someone who loves singular statement pieces, while a stacking ring would allow them to wear their new gift alongside existing favourites. Meanwhile, if you’ve already put a ring on it, investing in a new diamond can be a wonderful way to honour an anniversary. At De Beers, you can even opt for a special Crown stacking ring designed to sit harmoniously alongside their engagement ring or wedding band.
Gone are the days of men’s gifting being limited to watches and cufflinks. There are no rules or restrictions when it comes to buying jewellery for men – as with anything, it’s all about what chimes with their personal style. If you’re not sure where to start, many houses offer pieces designed to be genderless, which work perfectly for men. Tiffany & Co.’s Tiffany Lock collection sports a sleek, utilitarian look with a padlock clasp, while Cartier’s nail-inspired Juste un Clou rings would add perfectly to his stack. Likewise, Boucheron and Bvlgari use black ceramic in their Quatre and B.zero1 collections to add masculine edge to necklaces, rings and bangles. Diamonds, too, says De Beers, are not reserved for women. “The beauty of diamonds is that they can be worn and appreciated by everyone. We’re seeing more men interested in core pieces like DB Classic tennis bracelets or Talisman medallions.”
If you opt for a ring or a bracelet, there are a few things you can try to make sure they fit like a glove. The Bulgari team advise checking your recipient’s existing pieces for size numbers, or secretly bringing them in-store for the experts to measure for you. If neither of those are possible, you can even try them on yourself at home to see how they fit for comparison. Alternatively, why not ask a friend, partner or family member who might know? When it comes to rings, remember to consider which finger they would want to wear it on: “observe how they wear their jewellery or try to slip the question into conversation discreetly.” Nevertheless, there’s no harm done if you do choose the wrong size, says De Beers. “It can always be exchanged in-store over a glass of Champagne, tea, or coffee, so you needn’t worry too much about getting the size perfectly right.”
You ask, we provide. Having your gift engraved is easy to do, and makes their piece one-of-a-kind – unique to them alone. Whether you’re marking an important date or want to convey a special message, many brands offer in-house personalisation services that you can request when you make your purchase. Alternatively, pay a visit to our Fine Watch & Jewellery Aftercare workshop on the Lower Ground Floor to leave your piece with O’Connell’s Engravers – a third-generation family business which combines traditional by-hand methods with a modern machine approach.
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Whether you're looking for inspiration, or simply aiming to drop a hint, look no further than our engagement rings guide. We've consulted the experts on where to start and what to look out for in your search for The One.
