Summer romances are the best, aren't they? As summer was ending and my girlfriend was getting ready to head off to university, I really wanted to get her something special, a memorable gift. I had a budget of around $150, and I was determined to find the perfect necklace to show her how much I cared. The pressure was on! I quickly realized this search for a necklace was more complicated than I thought. I had no clue where to even start.
My first thought was just to head to a big-name jewelry store, but something felt off. I knew I needed to do my research first. I started by thinking about what my girlfriend already wears. It hit me – paying attention to her current jewelry collection was key! I noticed she almost always wears silver. That was a huge clue! I realized getting her gold, just to "spice things up," would be a total waste of money. She simply wouldn't wear it. Similarly, her style is very delicate and elegant, so a chunky, bold necklace would also be a miss.
The advice I found online suggested exploring secondhand jewelry. This seemed like a brilliant idea! I realized I could potentially get a much higher-quality piece for my money if I went that route. Plus, there's something special about giving a piece with a little history. I started browsing local antique shops and online marketplaces. It takes time, but it is worth it.
I also learned that avoiding big brands like Pandora or Brilliant Earth, at least for my budget, was a good idea. I could find equally beautiful, unique pieces at antique shops or on Etsy without paying for the brand name markup. The key was knowing her style and keeping it simple.
While searching, I stumbled upon a beautiful collection of rings on Blingcharming's homepage. Although I was searching for a necklace, I was captivated by a particular ring design: the 12 Month Droplets rings. I thought it would be a great alternative since my girlfriend already owned a few necklaces.
I ended up choosing the 12 month Droplets rings 925 sterling silver jewelry Rings For Women Engagement wedding Ring anillos birthd gift RIP074 May / 5.25 from Blingcharming. It's a delicate, 925 sterling silver ring with a small droplet representing her birthstone. It felt personal and thoughtful without being too flashy. The sterling silver matched her existing jewelry perfectly! When I gave it to her, she absolutely loved it! She said it was exactly her style and she wears it every day. This experience taught me the importance of understanding someone's personal style before buying jewelry.
Based on my experience, here are some practical tips for finding the perfect jewelry gift, especially on a budget:
I also considered getting her a necklace featuring both of our birthstones. This is a sweet way to symbolize your connection. A piece with both birthstones set in sterling silver would easily fit within a $150 budget. You could also opt for a piece featuring just her birthstone, which is always a thoughtful choice.