Want to buy my girlfriend a special gift for her birthday but never done this before?

timez_2

Hi,

My girlfriend will be 25 in a couple of weeks and I wanted to buy her something really special.

Her birthstone is ruby (which i dont think even she knows!)

And no-one has ever brought her anything jerwelly wise - she has always had to get it herself.

I found out she likes gold over silver so...


I had my heart set on a gold necklace with ruby on it.

I have never done this before though - and I'm worried its going to be fake (esp the ruby bit)


I was looking at this...

http://www.very.co.uk/9-carat-yellow-gold-ruby-and-diamond-necklace/888789509.prd#ReviewHeader

But even though it says the gold is 9-carat - it says nothing about the ruby or diamond on it.

I really dont want to get her something with anything fake in it at all - it has to be at least real gold and real ruby.

If that is fake (either the ruby or diamond bit) then I wont get it - but how do i find anywhere thats real.

As much as id love to go to a proper jewlers - i cant afford more than £100 on it - much as i would if i could.

Hope someone can advise me? Thank you

Timez

LEJC

The design of the necklace is really pretty,and to be honest I think your girlfriend would probably like it more because of the thought you have put into buying her a piece of jewellery.

What i would say to you is go and have a look on the high street at the quality of the chain etc...it wont be fake but most of what is sold online has vastly enlarged pictures and is sometimes not as substantial in weight as you would think or assume.
therefore theres nothing wrong with going into a local jewellers and asking to see their choice of necklaces...that way you will see what you are getting for your money.

Youve chosen a lovely style but until you see it in the flesh you wont really have much to compare.
As a general rule the clasp of the necklace will usually be hallmarked and again in honesty a 9 carat gold would be a good choice.
With regard to any rubies or indeed diamonds that are set in it they wont actually be documented as the wieght of each stone is probably going to be less than .25 carat...the diamond set in the pendant you have shown is set in an illusion setting to make it appear larger.#

Go out and see whats about before you commit to something online and even in the high street shops dont be afraid to ask if the price quoted is the best price.

System

My girlfriend will be 25 in a couple of weeks and I wanted to buy her something really special.

What a lovely boyfriend you are. Don't change.:)

Fosterdog

What a lovely gift idea

Doing a quick search I just found this, it is 18k gold so should be a better quality than the 9k ones. It's only £50
http://www.argento.co.uk/Models.aspx?ModelID=34708&gclid=COLTtPOdrbgCFWbJtAodWUUA2g&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom

Which would give you enough leftover from your budget to buy these matching earrings, either for her birthday or keep for xmas.
http://www.argento.co.uk/Models.aspx?ModelID=34697

ellies_angel

I would go for something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ruby-and-Diamond-Necklace-/161063567627?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_FineJewellery_CA&hash=item258023010b

I think the others are quite old fashioned (sorry for any offence). This is quite classic, brand new and a great price x

lazywife

I would pop in to a local jewellers, let them know your budget and see what they've got. They may have nothing to meet your demand, but they may have a little something, I've always found them quite competitive. (Local independant jewellers, not HSamuels or similar)
Personally I'd rather have a smaller item of jewellery boxed with a local jewellers, that you can revisit again and again for gifts.
L.xxx

Tiddlywinks

What a lovely, thoughtful thing to do.

The trouble is that gold is still expensive in the shops (despite the drop in the markets) and this makes the items smaller as a result.

Chains will also be thinner and more fragile at that price.... and it sounds as if you want something to last, so going for a cord or silver chain and setting would get you something more robust.

Why does your GF prefer gold? What is her style? Is she usually casual, smart, goth, boho or what?

What does she normally choose to wear?

LEJC

Just as an edit...you asked about how do you know the stones are real...if in the description it talks about a created ruby then that is a stone that has been manufactured and not mined...they are not fake and actually sometimes they are a very rich red colour compared to a ruby that is natural...and some people actually prefer the look of a created ruby because it does not have visible inclusions that natural rubies often have

Also looking at the link a previous poster has put,the chain on the pendant is silver and then plated with gold...personally I would tend not to advise you purchase this type of chain as it is possible that if your girlfriend wears the necklace regularly the plating will start to wear off and she could find that the chain looks a little 2 tone in colour.

Just my opinion...but worth pointing out to you.

meritaten

go to a 'good' jewellers - preferably one which also sells antique or secondhand jewellery. tell them your budget and your preference for gold and see what they have.
don't buy from Agros or online. you will get far better quality in an independent jewellers - even the 'posh' ones will have something in your price range.

timez_2

Aww thank you for saying im a lovely boyfriend! haha i thought it was what all were like - it seems not

Maybe I should add this is also her first birthday with me.


And wow you have all given me so many things to think about now!

Haha let me decide where I will get it from - and ill let you all know - and esp what she thought of it!

Timez

Scrapaholic

I was also wondering what your girlfriends style is . Does she wear the traditional style of jewellery , eg. the flower design you posted ? I feel they're old fashioned for a 25yr old , no offence intended . You say she likes gold but does she wear yellow or white gold ? A lot of people prefer white metals now . You'd pay a lot for a real red ruby . The cheaper ones look a kind of washed out red . I hope you find what you're looking for . It's very thoughtful of you to be looking for a meaningful present and hope your girlfriend has a happy 25th birthday .