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

meritaten

I am 59 and the pic you posted - well, I wouldn't buy that design for a 25yr old unless she loved vintage or antique jewellery. you know your girlfriend best!

Dimey

If you don't find something you like from the above tips I suggest you try independent jewellers who sell second hand and antique jewellery. They have qualified jewellers who know their stuff. The prices are good for much better quality gold and stones than you get in chain jewellers and online.

You get a lot of these type of jewellers in wealthier cities and towns. I don't know where you live but I've seen plenty of these type of jewellers in Canterbury, Harrogate, Chester and Exeter. Also Hatton Garden in London of course.

What a lovely caring boyfriend you are.

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Ruby/14595/subcat.html

http://www.gems.tv/Jewellery/Ruby-Faceted-Rondelles-Sterling-Silver-Necklace-ATGW-60.00cts(F)/Design-IJRA11.aspx

Prawny

Aww, how lovely! My boyfriend could do with a few lessons from you. I'm sure your girlfriend will love whatever you get her.

I'm 31 and I prefer the Argento necklace to the Very necklace. The Very necklace is pretty but looks vintage style & not sure it's to every 25 year old's taste. What style jewellery has she picked for herself in the past? Simple or more detailed? Vintage looking or modern?

timez_2

Well at the moment she has a necklace she has brought herself from before...

its silver (she couldnt afford gold) - with a heart shape outline in silver for the pendant.

- I would say she prefers simple and modern - and something not too full in your face.

knowing she likes hearts - was really hoping to get her a heart one - but not one that looks too vintage.

Timez

mum2one

You are one in a million, going back, (showing my age) my then boyfriend for my 25th brought me a god torque ring,

The necklace from Very - its going to be a small detail and the chain looks really thin, to me it looks more of a design of a ring, - with catalogues you pay a premium,

although the necklace is a lovely idea, I would go for a pair of earrings, or a bracelet,

I've had quite a bit of jewellery from Argos and I've had no problems with it, if you have Warren James (discount jeweller) may be worth looking in there, or H. Samuels.

If it was me, at 25, I had a gold chain that I had for my 18th and I just wore that all the time, I didn't really bother with dressy jewellery, the gem set necklaces that I had tended to be silver.

Good luck xx

cydney65

Such a lovely thought OP

Love this one from Samuels:

http://www.hsamuel.co.uk/webstore/d/1009656/sterling+silver+%26+9ct+gold+created+ruby+heart+pendant/

CydneyX

Tiddlywinks

Does it have to be ruby? I know it's her birthstone but it limits your choices.

How about buying a gold heart shaped locket instead as she likes hearts. Or a bracelet with a heart charm (then you can get more charms over the years).

Dimey

Swarovski have some nice heart pendants

http://www.swarovski.com/Web_GB/en/search;sid=MOvoZ_PbkLjqZ6I5fiRwQZrRNBYCiH8wnJbzE06PMxdiNQ==?search_query_keyword=ruby+heart+pendant&x=8&y=7

Its modern junk jewellery, not gold or ruby, but its popular and modern design.

Tiddlywinks

The Lola Rose brand uses semi precious stones to make modern pieces... It's expensive but good quality and very substantial.

I have items that I've worn every week for years and they're still going strong.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s//www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_pg_1?rh=n%3A193716031%2Cn%3A197373031%2Cn%3A197375031%2Ck%3Alola+rose%2Cp_89%3ALola+Rose&keywords=lola+rose&ie=UTF8&qid=1373793499&ajr=0&ajr=0

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lola-Rose-Precious-Necklace-Snakeskin/dp/B008YX4UGU/ref=sr_1_9?s=jewelry&ie=UTF8&qid=1373793704&sr=1-9&keywords=lola+rose

You could get a bracelet as well in the same stone.

This range is seen in photo shoots in Cosmo etc so your GF will know it's good quality. Plus, it's a bit 'younger' so good for a 25 year old.

My favourite stones are black agate (traditional and will go with anything) and blue sandstone (subtle sparkle for the evening).

SavingPennies_2

They are probably real stones but will be low quality for the price. Nothing wrong with that, but you said you want them to be real. There is a massive difference in price between a 9 carat gold necklace with low quality ruby and diamonds and an 18 carat high quality ruby and diamonds but they can both still be real.

It is likely the cheaper ones will also look a lot smaller in real life than they do online so be prepared for that, some girls like dainty jewellery so not such a big problem, but the size combined with low quality is how they can sell a real diamond and ruby necklace so cheap.

Personally I'd go to a good local jewellers, maybe ask female relatives for recommendations, and don't forget you can haggle on
The price.

As for the style, only you know what she will like but I'm sure she will appreciate the gesture which is the most important thing.

Edit a lot of the links the other posted have put up are pretty but created ruby not real ones.