With April upon us, we are well in the clear of holiday and Valentine’s Day gifting. But wait, Mother’s Day and graduations are on the horizon! Whether it’s a holiday, a milestone, a birthday, a graduation, my conversations with clients tend to head toward a specific theme: Partner Purchasing Dilemma.
What is the PPD? Well, it’s made up of multiple challenges. 1. Not knowing a partner's sizes/lengths. 2. Not knowing their style/preference/likes. 3. Should it be a surprise or include them in the process? 4. I need a gift...like yesterday!
Jewelry is a meaningful and timeless gift, but when purchasing for someone else, there is a lot of pressure and it can feel daunting to get it just right. Let’s put “just right” aside for a second. Receiving a thoughtful, meaningful gift from a loved one is already just right. We can work with whatever comes after. With a little guidance, you can confidently choose a piece your loved one will adore.
Let's dive into the challenges:
RING SIZE.
Challenge: Rings are the trickiest purchase in a surprise scenario because most people don’t know their ring size, let alone their partner’s. Not only that, which finger will they want to wear the ring on?! In addition, most jewelers consider any ring outside the standard sizes customizable and not returnable. Shoot, did I just make it even more scary for you? Hang tight, I’m not going to leave you here.
Solution: There are a few ways you can determine your partner’s ring size. Did you buy them an engagement ring or wedding band in the past? Most jewelers keep records of purchases and will have that information for you. You can check an existing ring and bring it to your jeweler (or a friend) who has a ring sizer. How about ask a friend or family member, they can get very creative in getting info. I’ve had many people ask to try on a friend’s ring for “fun” but they are really doing investigative work to see how it fits their fingers and then sizing themselves for reference. If you are really ahead of the game, when out and about, pop into a jewelry store for fun with your partner and tell them, you should really know your ring sizes in case I ever want to surprise you. Or my favorite: For insurance purposes I need to give them details of your jewelry so I need your ring sizes for all your existing rings.
Challenge: We don’t always know which hand and finger they will want to wear the ring. And to make life fun, some people have vastly different sizes between hands and fingers.
Solution: This also applies to the earlier challenge. Check with the jeweler ahead of time about returns/exchanges. Buy a standard size or an in stock piece and give that to your partner. If it doesn’t fit, you can exchange it and they can get sized appropriately for the new one. I can only speak to my own policies, but I will always allow you to exchange a ring for a different size.
NECKLACE/BRACELET LENGTH.
Challenge: Choosing the right length of chain for necklaces and bracelets for style and comfort.
Solution: Check existing jewelry, measure it out when they aren’t looking. Ask friends/family. Look for pieces that have adjustable sizing. For example, my necklaces have multiple options for length, either static or adjustable - allowing the wearer to decide on a daily basis what length to wear. When there is doubt, err on the longer side, it is much easier to get a piece shortened than to add length (but don’t fret, we can add an extender if needed!).
TASTE/STYLE.
Challenge: You don’t know if your partner will like what you picked out. People have come to me and said, “I bought them something once and they never wear it. I don’t think they like it and they are too scared to tell me.” Or on the flip side, “I love that my partner bought me something but I don’t like wearing it because it isn’t my style.”
Solution: Observe your partner’s jewelry style. Do they wear gold, silver? Do they tend to stay neutral with tones and gemstones or are they colorful? Do they like to wear lots of pieces at once and layer it on or do they seem to be minimalist? Maybe take a few secret photos of their pieces and show me or their friends/family and get opinions on whether certain pieces seem to fit their aesthetic. When you gift something, be open and honest about being ok with them exchanging it for something else. Remember, you’ve done the “just right” by putting so much thought and effort into the gift, it’s not a criticism of you if they want to get something different. Convey that you want them to have something they will enjoy.
SURPRISE!
Challenge: To surprise or not to surprise? That is the question.
Solution: Well, first of all, if you aren't surprising them and you are having them participate, congrats, you don't need to read this! You know your partner and you know yourself. What is going to feel the most comfortable? You can use me or friends/family as a sounding board on this one as well. Each occasion may call for a different solution. If the piece is meant to commemorate a milestone or goal, maybe involvement makes the most sense so it feels meaningful in its representation. There is also the option of a gift card or the gift being going shopping together to pick something out. If you really want to surprise them outright, check with your jeweler about returns and exchanges and then implement what I discussed prior about telling your partner it’s ok to change it out.
I NEED THE GIFT…LIKE YESTERDAY.
Challenge: Well, to be honest, this is my challenge, isn’t it? A nice perk of having a brick and mortar store is the client being able to pop in and grab a gift on the spot. I don’t have that perk for my clients…yet ;) Though I do keep some samples in stock, the chances of those being the exact item you want to buy are low. So you need a gift and you need it fast! How can I help you through this one?
Solution: Never hesitate to check in with me to see what I have in stock. If it’s in stock that also means it’s returnable and/or exchangeable, so we can get you a quick gift if needed. Like stated before, gift cards or a photo of what you want to get are a great option as well when you’re in a tight time spot. I can work with your situation and it’s worth asking me!
My final thoughts. Approach this with confidence. You’ve already shown that you are thoughtful, so take the extra pressure off yourself to make this perfect. Let me take on the pressure, I work well in that scenario, it’s how diamonds are made ;) My mission is to provide exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and value through my jewelry. I strive to create an inviting and approachable experience, helping people choose meaningful gifts that celebrate memories, tell stories, bring joy, or become cherished heirlooms.
So reach out! You’ll want to sign up to receive emails so you get my next blog post which will be helping you pick the perfect piece. You can subscribe to emails at the bottom of my home page. And if you do, you get a special 10% discount code + a downloadable jewelry cleaning guide. Or you can always reach out directly to me via the contact page on my website or by sending an email to info@carinsusann.com or text/call 425-224-5639. I look forward to helping you get it JUST RIGHT ;)