<p>Inspired by the thread about Christmas gifts: In the past few years, D (college junior) has become interested in jewelry. She wears a necklace that is a family piece but H and I are thinking a bracelet or a ring . . . Unfortunately, she does not like her birthstone, so a birthstone ring is out. Want something nice but a little young (she already has a very, very nice pearl necklace, also a family piece, but she has never worn it because it is, according to her “too old”).</p>
<p>OMG…my favorite gift to get and to give. First questions to ask/answer: price point, color (silver/white gold/yellow gold/rose gold. Do you want diamonds (small) or just an interesting intertwining. I don’t know where you live so or what her style is…David Yurman silver with semi precious stones. A cuff? A thin bracelet with tiny diamonds. Girls like stackable rings…one of my daughters loves vintage looking rings.</p>
<p>I gave my daughter a cable David Yurman necklace. She wears it as a necklace or wraps it around her wrist for a statement bracelet.</p>
<p>Gibson - thanks for the links. I actually looked at the Tiffany’s website because it was the first (and only) jewelry company I thought of. I like the circle design for D but I am not sure what she would think of the Tiffany’s brand being so visible (she is pretty anti-brand-name).</p>
<p>Do you have any local jewelers who do their own pieces?</p>
<p>I have purchased several pieces from a local jeweler and they have always been appreciated. My daughter wanted a claddagh ring and this was the one I found for her. I picked a beautiful stone and it looks great. The silver is much more substantial than anything you would find in a regular jewelry store. </p>
<p>This jeweler has some interesting things. I have a friend who is a big fan. Very good quality and quite a variety of designs, etc. Some of it is religious, but not all. Have you thought about a pin? I’ve always thought they are timeless…Maybe too ‘old’ for a young woman.</p>
<p>Our daughter is getting a piece of jewelry made using some rubies and a diamond that were her grandma’s. We also have a pink gold setting and that gold will be used. DDs gift is meeting with the jewelry maker to design then item (probably a necklace) and our payment for the piece.</p>
<p>Ross Simons has pretty things. I have not ordered anything from there in ages, but it is fun to look. I just spent a morning at the jewelry store with my college senior daughter and she picked out some pretty earrings that have green amethyst stones that hang down on a gold bar. I love the drop and lever back earrings that are popular now.</p>
<p>James Avery is hugely popular here and with good reason. I always say I can tell a Texas girl by her James Avery rings and MOWC, I know there’s a connection. D wants another one for her birthday. Some of the necklaces are very pretty.</p>
<p>I like station necklaces – sometimes called tin cup necklaces if the stones are pearls. They have a relatively small number of stones, separated by lengths of chain. It’s a more informal style than a strand of pearls, in my opinion, but just as classy. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I seem to have lost mine. I need to tear the house apart and find it.</p>
<p>James Avery is definitely a Texas tradition, but all my friends from out of state who would visit me would immediately want to go to James Avery. I was thrilled that the first Tennessee store opened a couple of years ago just a few miles from my house! Business is booming.</p>
<p>Since she is anti brand name( I understand, I do not like mass produced jewelry) you might consider going to a reputable jeweler who carries individual pieces made by living artisans or estate jewelry. We have such a jeweler in our small town. I love jewelry from the late Victoria period (circa 1880 to 1910) as well as local modern work . Rarely does current or antique jewelry cost more than the upscale name brands and at least you are getting something unique. And a really good, reputable jeweler will let your daughter exchange the piece for something else, if she does not find it suitable.</p>
<p>In the next 2 months, lots of local organizations will have craft fairs. Arts leagues, congregations, cultural groups, and the like may offer them. I’m in an artsy neighborhood in a major city, and we’re almost overrun with chances to look and buy gorgeous, distinctive jewelry and other gifts. Your daughter’s school also may host craft fairs. If scouting is as much fun as wearing the prize, you might let her do the groundwork. Also check porch sales and flea markets in both creative and mainline neighborhoods; sometimes you can adopt a piece that someone is ready to recycle.</p>
<p>I work next door to a thrift shop. I lost my long-time watch last winter and finally replaced it last week. It’s lovely and cost $1 plus tax; my neighborhood drugstore put in a new battery for slightly less than $5. Who needs Walmart?</p>
<p>I was listening to NPR today - Diane Rehm was interviewing Laurie Rubin, a blind mezzo-soprano, who mentioned she also designs jewelry. I don’t know how expensive it is, but worth checking out.</p>
I need to tear the house apart and find it.</p>![http://www.jasharp.com/images/Claddaghringscropped.jpg[/url]](http://www.jasharp.com/images/Claddaghringscropped.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
