Just Ask Leslie: Jewelry Tips

Gift giving at Valentine’s Day isn’t rocket science. Really, all you need to do is to select a tasteful gift (I’ll help!) and then present it with some affection. Take your Valentine out to dinner – or make dinner at home. They just want to be pampered a little and treated with extra care on that special day.

If you’re worrried about selecting this right gift, you can’t go wrong with this 1/5 carat diamond necklace in 14K white gold. At just $225, this piece will not break the bank but provides a lot of stylish sparkle. Plus the two hearts give it a little extra romance. This necklace is very versatile as well. It’s perfect for the office or to grace an evening gown. It’s a gift that will show your Valentine that you really care!

Guys there’s no need to take a guess this year about what to get your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day. If you’ve got around $200 to spend, there’s a world of elegant, classy and meaningful jewelry to treat your love. This 1 carat ruby and diamond ring in 14K white gold is a classic combination. Perfect for everyday, your Valentine will enjoy wearing this beauty and thinking of you. Here are some other budget-minded Valentine’s options for under $200.

Each year I get so many emails about what to get women for Valentine’s Day. This year, I’ll be featuring some sure fire hits for your sweetie. There’s no need to go “all out” for Valentine’s Day (unless you want to!). Giving gifts with thought from the heart is what really matters. This 14K yellow gold heart pendant with a diamond accent is perfect for any woman. For your valentine in her teens to her nineties, this pendant will be a pleaser! At just $75 it’s perfect for any budget. If this doesn’t suit, check out some other gifts for Valentine’s Day for under $100.

Via a comment, Tony asks, “Do you have any merchandise for men?”

I think this titanium and 18K yellow gold bracelet is very handsome and perfect for any man. The metals are durable and will only become more unique with wear. A gentleman will not have to worry about having to take off this bracelet to wash his hands or for light work. At just $95 it’s at a great price that will fit any budget. Enjoy!

I have a friend that does her Christmas shopping all year-round. When she sees things that her friends and family would love, especially on sale, she buys them no matter what the season. You can be a smart shopper like my friend and get in on this incredible deal. This chic and modern sterling silver black stingray cuff bracelet is on sale right now for just $29! That’s a savings of 80% from retail! Exotic and unique, this bracelet will move fast at such a low, low price.

Warm winter greetings to everyone and especially you folks born under Aquarius! Happy birthday! As an Aquarius, you’re very forward-thinking and independent in your way of approaching most things in life. No one is able to tell you how to live, because from an early age you made it clear to you just how differently you wished to experience your life. You can show that unique view on life with this sparkling 14K white gold diamond aquarius pendant! It’s a great gift for anyone born between January 20 and February 18.

Dear Leslie,
My sister’s birthday is coming up. Any thoughts on a nice jewelry gift for a woman that has everything?
Martha in PA

This gorgeous polished sterling silver bangle with cultured freshwater pearls will make an excellent birthday gift especially if your sister likes bold but feminine jewelry. This bangle combines polished sterling silver with pearls in a create basket weave pattern. The pearl accents remind me of renaissance jewelry in the way that they are set above the bangle. This piece definitely makes a bold statement for just $175.

Birthstone jewelry also makes a thoughtful birthday gift. Be sure to see my picks for January and February.

If these short, cold, grey winter days are getting you down, it’s time to add a little spring to your life! While the flowers of springtime may be several months away, you can get this lovely 5/8 carat emerald and diamond ring in 14K white gold as a reminder that spring will come again – eventually! I love the fluid design of this ring. Elegant waves of diamonds wrap around to great a beautiful setting for the deep green emerald. It’s stunning and will definitely bring you some cheer!

If you decide to get this ring be sure to read my post on how to clean emeralds and keep them looking great for years to come.

If emeralds aren’t your thing, check out these exotic green garnets I wrote about a week or so ago. They’re stunning too!

Dear Leslie,
My boyfriend is sweet but he’s not that great at buying gifts for me. This past Christmas was kind of a disaster and I ended up returning a lot of the gifts he bought. I think that it hurts his feelings a little even though I try to do it without him knowing about it. With Valentine’s Day coming up in a month, how do I give him hints about things I want without just coming out and telling him?
Nancy in Oregon

Even though this is more of a relationship question than a jewelry question, I’ll try my hand at it! It sounds to me like you’ve got a great boyfriend. The reason his feelings are hurt when you return the gifts he got for you is because he actually put thought behind those purchases. If it wasn’t from the heart, then he wouldn’t have cared. You’ve just got to direct him to the things you really want. Let me let you in on a secret, men are not mind readers any more than we are. Moreover, they generally don’t pick up on the hints that you think that you’re giving. So if you’re trying to let him know what you want without coming right out and telling him, then you’re taking a risk you might end up with something you don’t want or need. Here’s a solution: make a date with him and for part of the date you both get online and look at things you like. Shop around at ice.com and give him some options to choose from with various prices. You can do the same thing for him over at an electronics website! Take turns. Do it from a place of fun and love and it’ll be a lot of fun!

If you haven’t already got you mind set on something for Valentine’s Day, you should check out this beautiful 1/4 carat diamond heart pendant in 14K yellow gold. This pendant is a classic and is the perfect thing to wear everyday. And guys, a gift like this is perfect for any lady! Plus it’s got a low price tag at just $195!

One of the great things about being a modern woman is all the wonderful choices we have now. I know that there’s definitely still as glass ceiling, but more and more women are redefining their role in society. There’s nothing wrong with looking to the past for inspiration. I have several pieces of my grandmother’s jewelry that I love to wear because I feel closer to her. If you like a more romantic or another style from a bygone era, you might like this beautiful 1/6 carat diamond ring in a stunning 14K white gold filigree setting. This lacy and intricately crafted ring features sparkling diamonds. The textured setting is designed to make the best use of all sparkle beaming from those gems. This ring is definitely a romantic blast from the past that any modern woman would love to wear.

Dear Leslie,
I am looking for a new pair of earrings for an upcoming party. I’ve been looking online, but I just haven’t found anything that I love. Can you help, please?!
Amber in Burlington, VT

I just ran across these new 14K yellow and white gold spiral earrings the other day. They’re perfect for a party. These earrings are vivacious and playful! To me they look like streamers that are floating down during a parade. With a sleek straightened hair style these will look very chic. If you have curls, they’ll accent your “do” too! You’ll be able to wear these earrings all year-round to parties in every season and out to nights on the town!

For those of you looking for a special piece of jewelry that’s definitely not the “same old thing”, have I got a find for you! I am just enamored with these elegant 1/2 carat brown and white diamond 14K white gold earrings. The warm tones of the brown diamonds are an interesting contrast to the sparkling white diamonds. It’s a combination that will really get you noticed. I think these earrings will look fabulous paired with fall colors for sure, but also consider how beautiful they’d look with shades of blue. If you’re more adventurous, these earrings could be the perfect accessory for a chic modern look as well. At just $395, these earrings can be part of your jewelry collection for a very reasonable price!

Dear Leslie,
My mother is having a birthday soon and I am not sure what to get her. I was thinking about jewelry, but there is so much to choose from! Help!
Nicole in Wilmington

A perfect gift for every mother is a personalized mother’s ring. The concept behind this ring is that you select the birthstones of your mother’s children to include in the design of the ring. I’ve found a site where you can really personalize your mother’s ring. You may select the design and the position of the stones, white or yellow gold, even between genuine or synthetic stones – it’s all up to you! If your mother is also a grandmother, you could make her a ring where the stones represent her grandchildren!

There’s nothing I love more than a great bargain. (Ok, there are people I love more – but a good bargain is right up there!) I’ve seen some incredible sales online over the past few days and I wanted to let you in on one. Check out this beautiful and elegant cultured pearl and multi-colored quartz sterling silver necklace! It’s on sale right now for just $39 marked down from $125! I am in love with the romantic pastel pink and blue quartz. Together with the pearls, those colors give this necklace a distinctly feminine look. Paired with a blouse under a business suit or with a spring dress, this necklace will complement a variety of looks.

If you’re looking for something fresh and new for the New Year – look no further! I was just dazzled by this incredible piece and had to share it with you all. This 1 7/8 carat multi-gemstone and diamond ring in 14K white gold is a looker for sure! I am in love with the unique color combination which makes this ring perfect for any season. The three gems in the center of the ring combine to make a big impact. Plus who couldn’t love all those diamonds – 34 of them to be exact! I think what’s even more amazing is the price – all of that style and sparkle for just $250!

The other day I wrote a post featuring January’s birthstone the garnet. Many of you are probably familiar with the bright red color traditionally associated with garnets. Did you know that garnets come in a variety of colors – even green?! Well, you can get your fill of this uniquely colored garnet in this lovely 50 carat green garnet briolette and 14K yellow gold necklace. The twinkling, multifaceted beads will catch the light and add sparkle to any outfit. The green tones in this necklace is a great way to get a jump on spring.