Can anyone help me pick a 40th gift for my best friend? (Pics!)

[JessiCake]

She is very special so I want to splash out.

She loves jewellery, she's very keen on gold and loves diamonds (!!) But she is single (nasty divorce) so doesn't usually get bought jewellery.

Her taste is a bit quirky, she likes bold things.

I am totally torn between these two choices (and cost isn't a factor in deciding, my budget is roughly £200-250 top whack.)

So do you think option one

www.monicavinader.com/riva-diamond-wave-stacking-ring/rose-gold-vermeil-riva-diamond-wave-stacking-ring-diamond?search=%2Fshop%2Frings#slide-2

Or option 2

www.monicavinader.com/linear-bead-friendship-chain-bracelet/rose-gold-vermeil-linear-bead-friendship-chain-bracelet-rose-gold?search=%2Fshop%2Fby-collection%2Fengraved%2Fby-price%2F-%2Fsort-by%2Four-favourites

Option 2 I can have engraved with something meaningful on each bead which I know she would love. That said, there would be something very symbolic about getting her a diamond ring; I've been there with her through a terrible divorce and I know how much she longs for a romantic man in her life to buy her diamonds but she doesn't have one! So why not me instead?!

I've known her most of my life and she got me a wonderful 40th gift so I want to splash out and get something she'lll love. She adores Monica Vinader so I'm keen to get something from there.

Thoughts...?

[JessiCake]

Having re-read my OP I think saying she likes 'bold' things is misleading - quirky more than bold. They don't have to be chunky things, she likes pretty, delicate stuff too, it just needs to have a very slightly original spin, in the shape or the concept or something... It's why I like the wave design of the ring as she would love that, she loves the ocean and used to swim a lot in it so it would be meaningful to her.

THat said I love the ability to engrave that lovely friendship bracelet with something special to her/our long friendship.

[ScarlettDarling]

They're both beautiful, what a lovely friend you are. I can't help thinking that a diamond ring seems like a romantic gift, one that's given to a romantic partner, so on that basis I'd choose the bracelet. But I'd be thrilled to receive either!

[pinkbraces]

I would go with the bracelet, it's gorgeous. You are a lovely friend

[Madbengalmum]

What a lovely friend you must be! I would be delighted to recieve either, i think the bracelet is probably more of something you would give to a friend. I also think it looks nice on its own,whereas the ring looks better stacked with others. However, that said both are thoughful gifts.

[JessiCake]

Scarlett I agree in many ways re the diamond ring thing - it's why, in a way, I WOULD get it for her, as she's had such an utterly shit life when it comes to romance and has pretty much packed up that stuff forever now she's a single mum and has hit (gasp!) 40. I think she might get a bit of a kick out of her best pal buying her diamonds instead of some non-existent man... not sure though!! Wish I could ask her but want it to be a surprise...!!

[daisydalrymple]

Bracelet definitely. It's beautiful and looks really special.

[JessiCake]

Glad the bracelet gets votes... I love it too. I have a cheaper Monica Vinader one and it's lasted years and I wear it almost every day so I think they're amazing.

I would get it engraved, probably, with her initial, my initial and the initials of both our children with maybe a heart for the 5th bead... do't know if that's too much 'me' as well as her but we are godmothers to each others' kids so there is a reason for it!!

[ScarlettDarling]

Jessi I totally get what you're saying about the ring. You're a lovely, thoughtful friend.

[Littleelffriend]

The ring definitely

[AllPizzasGreatAndSmall]

The bracelet is lovely to get a friend. The ring is nice enough, but less special. (Not sure why the only other option is finding a man to buy her diamonds though, surely she can treat herself?)

[JessiCake]

All Pizzas, no absolutely, I'm with you on that front! I think she SHOULD buy herself diamonds. She's talked about it a lot but never has, either because she would rather spend the mooney on her son or because she's lost the nerve. She's very very traditional in many ways (and painfully romantic) so I know she wishes a diamond-showering man would sweep her off her feet.

[DebiNewberry]

The ring but not sized for her ring finger.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

The bracelet, but I think getting it engraved with your initial and your child's would be rather strange. Maybe get her the bracelet and let her choose the engraving?

[NotInMyBackYard1]

Have you considered the Alex Monroe range? The bumblebee necklace is gorgeous.

[OlennasWimple]

Would you know her ring size to get her the ring?

I love the bracelet

You could always combine the two and get a bracelet with diamonds?

[JessiCake]

Remus, I'm thinking the same thing re the engraving, I agree. We're very close and our families are too, and we've grown up together which is why I wouldn't think it SO odd... but I agree, it's HER b'day gift and it doesn't feel quite right to make it more about us as a little near-family group.

Olenna, good question re ring sizing, I would get the largest size as she has VERY large hands but would try to find some way to surreptitiously check in advance I guess... not sure how!

I will look at Alex Monroe, thank you! I do love her stuff from the little I know of it. Might be another option there.

Thanks everyone!

[burntoutmum]

Love the bracelet!

Your friend is very lucky to have you x

[heebiejeebie]

My best friend bought me a similar diamond ring for my 40th birthday and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it - wear it every day. It doesn't have to be a romantic thing!

[Starryskiesinthesky]

I love Monica Vinader and love both! So not much help!

If she is unlikely to buy a ring herself I would get that.

[Itchytights]

Definitely the bracelet. Not sure about having the initials of yourself and your child's though.

What a lovely friend you are.

[bunbunny]

How about one of the the other bracelets? There are some that have a diamond circle/squished circle as the decoration in them - getting one of those would be a bit like getting both presents - it's a bracelet but at the same time there's a symbolic diamond 'ring' in them (don't know if you could get something tiny engraved on the back) that isn't the same as being the one she hopes her romantic suitor will one day get for her when he rides up on his white steed...

[bunbunny]

Was thinking of the Riva pod, mini circle or hoop, or the nura reef - all in your price range.

[SleepingStandingUp]

Is probably go more

www.monicavinader.com/riva-large-hoop-bracelet/rose-gold-vermeil-riva-large-hoop-bracelet-diamond?search=%2Fshop%2Fbracelets
Or
www.monicavinader.com/riva-mini-circle-bracelet/gold-vermeil-riva-mini-circle-bracelet-diamond?search=%2Fshop%2Fbracelets

So bracelet and diamonds

[SleepingStandingUp]

Oh cross posts

[SashaFiercesMummyFromHell]

The bracelet is a beautiful gift idea- it has more meaning.

You're a wonderful, thoughtful friend and she's very lucky to have you!