Where to buy decent jewelry for a gift?

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

I know you lot will be able to help. It's my sister's 18th birthday soon. I want to buy here a piece of jewelry that she can keep. I'm thinking of somewhere like Links of London but I can't see anything there that I like at the moment. Where else can I look? Budget probably up to 200 pounds.

Any suggestions very appreciated! Thanks.

Links of London is old hat. You're paying for the label whereas you could buy an identical unlabelled piece for £80. I'd steer clear!

£200 is a great budget. I always tell people the same things in these situations: if you have a local family jewellers go and see them- they tend to be able to give you the best deals as they aren't bound by chain sensibilities (ie: fixed prices/overheads etc)

If you think that she would prefer something designer, I would look towards heritage silversmiths like Georg Jensen link or maybe Babette Wasserman link

When I buy people jewellery, I buy it keeping in mind that if it ever falls out of fashion, the recipient should be able to sell it on or trade it for a decent price. I don't foresee Links having a great resell value in later years (there's too many of them for one).

I am a total jewellery nerd though so feel free to disregard everything

What kind of style is she into and I'll give you more help and less of a lecture

How about alex monroe - if she likes Links type stuff, they do most of their pieces in silver, a necklace would be around £90 and some John Lewis branches stock them if you want to view irl (which is worth it imo as sometimes a little hard to judge the size). Absolutely lovely and great CS too.

(Alex has also been known to frequent the S+B board on occasion...)

Would also agree about Links - I think it's kind of gone down the Tiffany charm bracelet/Pandora route in that there are lots of fakes/copies out now which devalues the real thing a little.

Ooh, Tiffany. Lovely boxes. Maybe they have something pretty in silver for your budget. She would know the name and know it was special.

Thanks for all the replies. To expand a bit: I need to be able to buy it on line because I'm not based in the UK. Also, I think she would prefer something that has a 'name' attached to it.

Agree re links being all charm bracelets etc which is why I need to look for something else. I got some stuff from there about 10 years ago which I really like and was surprised when I looked there now at how uninteresting the stuff all was.

I looked at Tiffany's and also wasn't impressed. i think my budget is not enough to get something decent there and I came away with the impression that for a lot of money, I'd get the Tiffany name and quite a cheap looking piece of jewelry.

Am off to look at the links you have kindly recommended in replies now. I'd prefer silver to gold (which I always think looks a bit old) but I'm not sure beyond that. She doesn't really have a 'style' as all her stuff is cheap and cheerful which is why I want to get her something decent.

Thanks again for taking time to reply!

Mrs.cumberbutch is too modest- she gives great advice on jewellery.

Aww thanks anniewoo. [flattered emoticon]

I got one of these the other day. It imprints a message on your finger!

Closing down sale as well, might be worth a gander for something fun OP!

Just an idea, but have you thought about getting her a watch? If you're not sure what type of jewellery to buy I'm sure you could find something trendy for £200 that she'd get a lot of wear out of.

If she's only 18 then Links do some fab friendship bracelets. They range from about £130-160ish and would look great stacked with a watch etc. I agree that the sweetie bracelets have had their day. IMO friendship bracelets look cooler.

Have you had a look on Astley Clarke?

Wright and Teague do beautiful (but pricey) stuff.

Azendi do lovely stuff too if you've got a shop nearby

Links - over priced. You ARE paying for the name and the quality isn't always the best.

Azendi are great. Tragically they've just closed all but a handful of stores mostly located in the north of England, but their website is well stocked. You'd get a really nice set for that sort of money.

Disclaimer: I used to work for them.

If she wants a "name"; Dower and Hall? Theo from Theo Fennell at Debenhams? You could also look at some of Stephen Webster, Jaycee Wong or Shaun Leane's silver pieces.

Look at www.facebook.com/cottonandgems

By a uk designer clare cotton - lots of celebs (not BB kind) wear her beautiful jewellery and she has a very good eye for gems. You often see the made in chelsea girls wearing them so it's 'hip' enough for an 18 year old but spesh enough for an 18th birthday

I have a couple of her pieces and they are beautiful

This is gold but a lovely statement ring she could wear in evenings and day www.cottonandgems.com/jewellery/dress-rings/sho-fine-jewellery-gold-plated-mari-splash-ring

This was worn by poppy delevigne and gabriella and is funky but pretty (goes to order for self)
www.cottonandgems.com/jewellery/bracelets/eastern-mystic-glam-punk-gold-spike-turquoise-brac

Or these fake diamond and pearls ;)
www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2156226/Kate-Middletons-48-diamond-pearl-earrings-dazzled-fans.html

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e.g. mummygoodies.com/

BellaoftheBalls is right. Links are outrageously overpriced. Pandora too. If you want great value for money go for an online jeweller. Just make sure you get one with weights and measurements so you don't end up with something half the size you expect or some tinny tat. And get one with a good returns policy just in case. These guys are my favourite, brill quality and a bit different.

£200 is a brilliant budget. I'd go for a chunky bangle for that. It'll last for year, be hard to wreck and easy to polish out scratches. Timeless enough to be cool to an 18 year old and still look good when she's 40. You could even get it engraved if you go with the guys I recommended above.

I agree Mrscumerbatch gives great advice. She's the bomb when it comes to jewellery! Pick her brains.

I also love Alex Monroe, it's a bit different and all the celebs wear her (his?) stuff. Quality is lovely and the gold is quite funky because of the designs.

He's a he Naturalblonde. I like his stuff too. Really unusual. Most if it's a bit dainty for me but he makes me wish I could wear dainty.

Hebridean Jewelry is worth a look, some really unusual & beautiful pieces - and you get a lot more for your money than somewhere like Links

Have you tried Swarovski?