Dhanteras
Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. This five day festival of lights begins with Dhanteras, the day when people start cleaning their homes, lighting diyas and shopping for the festival. When we talk about shopping on Dhanteras, we aren’t referring to the usual grocery shopping. On Dhanteras, it is considered auspicious to buy something made of precious metals. It is also auspicious to give gifts made of precious metals to your family on this day. And, what better gift made of precious metals than a piece of finely crafted jewellery!
Now that you have put ‘buy jewellery’ on your to-do list, how do you choose the perfect jewellery? You can buy jewellery for men, women, and children online. So the first thing to do is obviously decide what you want to buy and for whom. Easier said than done, right? Worry not! Here is a quick guide to help you pick jewellery for your loved ones Dhanteras.
Gold, Diamonds, and Colourful Gemstones
When you buy jewellery as a gift for someone, there are three things you cannot go wrong with – gold, diamonds, and colourful gemstones. Gold, whether it is the classic yellow gold or the contemporary white gold, is an ideal gift for Dhanteras. You can also go for the romantic hues of rose gold, which is ruling the jewellery industry these days.
There is nothing that can replace the sparkle of diamonds. No matter what the size is, a trinket made with diamonds is always something people will cherish. For starters, you can consider gold rings or pendants studded with a single diamond. Based on your budget, you can also go for multi-stone stunners and even solitaires. Diamond necklaces and bangles are great gifts for your mother and wife.
Festivals are all about colours. Why not make it a little more colourful with gemstone jewellery? In the family of gems, pearls are an eternal classic. For those who like vibrant jewellery, precious stones like rubies and emeralds make great gifts. You could also look for jewellery studded with semi-precious stones, like amethysts, aquamarines, citrines, rose quartz, etc.
Who likes What?
On Dhanteras, you may want to buy jewellery for your mother and your wife. If you are unmarried, your sister may be the happy recipient of your gift. Unlike a bouquet of flowers, you can’t gift everyone the same thing. You need to think of what each person likes and what would suit them. For someone who likes flowers, floral jewellery studded with gemstones may be perfect. On the other hand, plain, solid gold jewellery may be better suited for your mother who likes monochromatic designs. For a father or brother who is religious, gold pendants or rings featuring religious motifs are ideal. For a younger family member who follows fashion trends to a tee, go for something fashionable, like a cocktail ring or a rose gold trinket. A pair of gold earrings or a delicate chain with a pendant featuring animal motifs makes great gifts for your little daughter. Boiled down to essentials, the rule is this: choose something that the receiver will love and cherish!
How Old Are the People You Are Shopping For?
Shopping for a 10-year old is hugely different from shopping for a 50 -old. So it is extremely important that you choose gifts based on the age of the receiver. If you want to gift your teenage daughter or niece something special for Dhanteras, go for enameled jewellery. This type of jewellery looks bright and colourful but does not include gemstones. Hoop earrings that lock themselves into place, charm bracelets and pendants are ideal for young girls.
On the other hand, if you want to buy your grand mom something special, look for classic designs. A pair of stud earrings or a gemstone studded ring is something she is sure to love. Also, think about how frequently she likes to change her jewellery and choose an item accordingly. For a grandmother who has her nose pierced, diamond nose pins are ideal. A pair of cufflinks makes an ideal pick for men who don’t like pendants or rings or chains.
Consider the Body Type of the Wearer
Apart from personality, a person’s body type also determines the type of jewellery that will be best suited to them. For example, a broad bracelet may not suit a person with slender wrists. Slim bangles that can be stacked together would be a better idea in this case. Also, oval bangles with openable clasps are best suited for women with large hands and small wrists. Similarly, if you want to buy earrings as a gift, take a close look at the person’s face. Round faces are best suited to long drop earrings while long faces look good with broad studs or hoops.
Working Styles
You also need to think about the person’s lifestyle when you buy jewellery for them. A majority of a person’s waking hours are spent working, so think about their working atmosphere. If the person you are shopping for works in a corporate office with a strict dress code, gift them a pair of diamond earrings or a pendant. For a college goer, fashion trinkets such as open rings, two finger rings, lockets, or flexible bangles are ideal. If you are looking to buy something they can wear every day, go for a pair of plain gold studs or a simple chain along with a pendant.
Budget, Budget, Budget!
Whether you are buying jewellery for one person or for three, you must decide your budget. Most local jewellers and online sites will allow you to filter designs by your budget. If you are on a limited budget, do not assume that you have no other option but a pair of earrings. A slim bracelet, a delicate ring, a nose ring, etc. could also fit within your budget. Customising aspects of a design such as gold purity and gemstones grading can also help adjust the price of a piece of jewellery according to your budget.
Personalize Each Gift
To make your gift special, it must be personalised. An easy way to personalise a gift is by picking alphabet jewellery – one with the wearer’s initials. This usually takes the form of pendants. A pendant is suitable for people of all ages and all lifestyles. Thus, this is a gift that can be worn not only on Diwali day but for years to come.
You could also look for jewellery studded with birthstones. Each sign of the zodiac and month has a gemstone associated with it. So, think about the person’s birthday and buy earrings or any other kind of jewellery with their birthstone.
You could also buy jewellery that literally spells out your relationship with the person. For example, how about a pendant designed around the word ‘mom’ for your mother? Or, how about a pair of heart shaped earrings for your partner?
Remember, It Must Fit
Some types of jewellery like earrings do not have size variations. Rings and bracelets, on the other hand, are available in a range of sizes. If you buy a ring that’s too small, the person won’t be able to wear it. If it’s too big, there is a chance it may fall off their fingers. It’s the same story with bangles and bracelets too. So, when you buy these types of jewellery don’t just guess the right size, do a little research. If you don’t want to ask the person directly, try measuring the circumference of a ring or bangle that fits them well. If you can’t get hold of this, buy jewellery that doesn’t have size restrictions like earrings or a pendant.
And Lastly
Whether it’s a small pendant or an ornate bangle, what makes a gift special isn’t the price tag attached but the thought that went into it. Buy jewellery that you know the other person will like even if it does not match your personal style. When you give someone a gift, you want them to wear it not just because you gifted it to them but because they like it.
