How to choose jewellery as a gift — a guide by recipient
How to choose jewellery as a gift when you don't know their size or taste: safe options for her, for him and for someone close to you.
You don't choose a jewellery gift by what you like yourself. You choose it by how much you know about the person receiving it — and that decides how safe your choice can be.
If you know very little
When you know nothing about their taste, choose a piece that needs no size and has no ‘right’ way to be worn.
- Stud earrings. They suit everyone and are never too much: earrings.
- A pendant with a neutral symbol. A heart, a four-leaf clover or an infinity sign — the meaning is there, and no size is needed: jewellery with meaning.
- An adjustable bracelet. It fits a wide range of wrist sizes.
If you know more
When you know what they wear, the gift can be more personal. Look at the tone of the jewellery they already own and stick with it — warm with warm, cool with cool.
An initial, a zodiac sign or a birthstone makes a gift personal without the risk of misjudging their taste: pendants.
Gifts by recipient
- For your mum. We have a separate guide with safe choices: gifts for mum.
- For a woman or a friend. Earrings or a pendant — a safe bet if you are unsure of the size.
- For a man. A chain or a bracelet in the same tone as what he already wears: chains.
Browse: All gifts, Gift sets, Gifts for a friend, For him.
What not to give if you are unsure
- A ring when you don't know the size. The riskiest gift of all — you can almost never guess a ring size.
- A piece with a strong symbol. A cross or a specific sign means you need to know the person well.
- A very chunky piece. That is a matter of personal taste, and it is easy to get wrong.
How to present it
Jewellery looks more valuable as a gift when it is clean and nicely wrapped. Before you give it, wipe it with a dry cloth — fingerprints spoil the impression more than a modest price ever could.
What it is made of, in case they ask: what jewellery is made of. How to look after it: jewellery care.
Frequently asked questions
How can I find out someone's ring size in secret?
Borrow a ring they already wear and measure its inner diameter. Earrings or a pendant are still the safer gift, though.
Is gold-plated jewellery a good gift?
Yes. It has a rich gold-tone finish and lets you give a standout piece they would not have bought for themselves.
What if the gift turns out to be the wrong size?
Earrings and pendants never need changing for size — which is exactly why they are the safest choice.
