Tips on Buying Valentine’s Day Jewelry

Jewelry makes for a popular Valentine’s Day gift but purchasing it can be tricky.

“The right gift of jewelry is not just for that moment, that one singular day,” said Bill Scielso, owner of Bilori Jewelers in Denville. “No, no. Every time someone puts that piece on, whether a ring or a watch, earrings or a bracelet or a pin, they think of the moment that it was given to them. Jewelry has significance, meaning to it.”

Scielso said the average national purchase on Valentine’s Day is $350 and for that type of investment, it has to be a thoughtful gift that will stand the test of time.

“A nice, quality piece needn’t run in the thousands of dollars. Your local town jeweler is someone who you can build a relationship with, knows you when you walk in and has an understanding of not just your budget but also your significant other,” Scielso said.

Here are Scielso’s tips on buying jewelry for Valentine’s Day.

Do some spy work: An affair of the heart needs a little reconnaissance and that means you might need to do some digging to make a smart purchase.

“This week, look into her jewelry collection if you can, see what she likes. Make a note of her favorite pieces or the ones she wears the most. If you can, take a couple photos on your smartphone,” Scielso said. “Check out her Facebook photos and see what she likes to wear to wear, say to that wedding last year or the last formal you went to – these are the pieces she loves and cherishes. See what she is wearing. Small earrings, large earrings, ring or bracelets? It gives you a start.”

Be creative in your approach: Don’t go for the newest or biggest thing in your price range. Not everyone loves flash or over the top or simply feels comfortable wearing something extravagant.

“Think outside the box about what you want to put inside your box. Estate jewelry is really interesting and often overlooked because chain jewelry stores advertise fads as ‘must gets.’ But an estate piece can be timeless and classic,” Scielso said.

Know your budget and stick to it: It is easy to get caught up in emotion, after all Valentine’s Day is an emotional day. Know your price point and be comfortable with it. Take some time to research online in order to help set a budget that is comfortable for the day but also provides an item that shows love and thought.

“All types of people walk through our doors in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. With them come all sorts of budgets. My job is to provide the right fit at the right price so you can walk out the door and have enough to get a drink at Smart World Coffee across the street.”

Don’t delay: Waiting until the day before or the dreaded day of Valentine’s Day is a horrible idea. Horrible. Stores can sometimes get busy and the piece you might want to purchase based off your browsing on the Internet might not be there. Desperation makes for a lousy Valentine’s Day gift.

“The job of your local town jeweler isn’t to make a decision for you, it is to guide you to the right decision for the one you love. If you come in at the last minute, you might be frustrated and end up heading to the drug store for some stale, generic candy and a wilting flower. There’s nothing wrong with that, unless you want to look like you don’t care.”

What’s hot in 2017

Bar necklaces in gold, silver and rose gold as well as diamonds. Colored gem stones and morganite in pink gold are also trending.