So if Tiffany, pandora etc are tacky - where could I look for a nice piece of jewellery for DDs 16th birthday?

[RJnomore]

It's not until the end of the year but I'd like to take my time choosing and work out how much I need to save up for it!

She had a leather pandora with a couple of charms which she liked when she was younger. I can't see her with Tiffany tbh and I've seen some pretty negative comments on here about it. I suppose I'd like to get her something she can keep but also something that's recognisably from a "good" jewellers. Any ideas I can start browsing?

Hehe I have a Michael Kors bag! I love it I know it's tacky but I sort of like that about it.

I want a Tiffany olive branch necklace for my birthday RJ. I love that range.

Any way you can find out what the buzz things are for jewellery for her and friends? I think it's so hard buying for that age - they are so fussy and things can be perceived as too young or too old really easily. I think Tiffany is just a fairly safe bet though. It's not about resale value or holding its value even - it's about whether she wants to wear it for the next 10+ years.

I have recently bought a couple of 21st & 18th presents, personalised bracelets, from suppliers on notonthehighstreet.com.
There's a large selection at all sorts of prices and the opportunity to personalise lots of pieces. I've always been very happy with things I've got from there, it's an easy way to access lots of individual makers.

It's not just that Tiffany is naff, it's that it's also bad value. When shopping for my engagement ring I sought out jewellery experts and they all said the same thing - it's overpriced because of the name. You'll get better metals and stones for the same price or less elsewhere

Go independent op. It's harder work but look into small family run shops and get something classic - a solid metal bracelet or diamond studs or something. Or if you're a confident shopper some old jewellery.

I agree Alex Monroe etc will date.

It's about what you want though - something she will love now or something a bit riskier that you hope she comes to treasure.

I think it depends what your budget is really.

If you're spending a couple of hundred - well I'd just get something she will like and wear for the next few years - I wouldn't be thinking she'll keep it forever.

However, if you're looking at spending £££ then yes perhaps not Alex Munroe.

George Jensen: though better for 18th possibly.

I also like browsing "Not on the High Street". Lots of independent silver smiths selling lovely pieces. I particularly like Kate Mullally. Her anchor and key pendants are on my wish list. BUT I am 40 yrs old so not sure a 16 yr old would agree with me on coolness.

I got a Tiffany's coffee bran necklace for my 17th and I still wear it, it's really subtle and plain. I agree some of the more in your face pieces can be tacky but I still think some of their things are lovely.

There's a lovely jewellers in Spitalfields called Dower and Hall, I got my bridesmaids some beautiful necklaces from there. They've got a website.

Coffee BEAN necklace. Gah, early!

There's also a beautiful independent (I think!) jewellers in Cambridge called Cellini's. They also have a website (sorry don't know how to link!). I have a really lovely silver necklace from there with a single dark green pearl pendant. I still wear that a lot too.

All the 16 year olds I know love Pandora. And Tiffany I suspect but much more expensive.

I came here yo suggest Dinny Hall as well.

Daniella Draper - lovely handmade silver jewellery

Would you consider buying second hand? I've had wonderful, relatively inexpensive pieces from places like Chelsea Pawnbrokers and, on ebay, Taymos Antiques.

Tiffany is like all designers you are paying for the brand as well as the item.

A few of ds1's female friends have had Tiffany bracelets for 18th birthdays and all seem to love them. They are the silver ones that are little balls and then a charm of some description. About £120. They are lovely but quite delicate so look fab on slim teenagers but silly on my manly wider wrists!

Pandora is still big as well. As well as chamilia but more pandora. Links of. London is out here. My cousins who are the same age as ds1 (17) wear leather and silver pandora bracelets stacked along with the Tiffany ones. They also really liked some handmade personalised ones that I got from the little silver jewellery company.

Sorry no links I will try and add some later.

What king of thing does your daughter like? Do you want to give her something classic she will keep her whole life? Or something current that she will wear to death right now?

If it's a classic, then I am not sure that designer is the way to go. Head to someplace like the jewellery quarter in Birmingham, etc and buy by the weight and gold content etc. Things I've found are lifetime classics for me: diamond studs, pearl studs, pearl necklace, thin gold chain with small gold pendant, chunky gold bracelet. I was given a pearl ring in a gold mount when I was 14. Something in my mum's mind about a pearl ring being an appropriate first real jewellery gift for a girl. It did look soft, pretty, and not cheap or cheapening on me.

That said, it would be cheaper and possibly more appreciated by your daughter to have some trendier items in gold plate. You want her to love it after all!

I love Tiffany.
Have many items from there. I've had them for years and years and still wear something from there every day (unless wearing my Gucci set of course)

Gucci do have some nice jeweller!

Jewellery!!!

I'd say same as others really...Tiffany is not tacky, just you are paying for that beautiful little box and the name

Links of London also have lovely stuff..i have a simple chain bracelet with a single charm on that I have worn every day for years...never taken off, and I love it

Pandora et al....I would classify as fancy costume jewellery and heading for tacky...in five years these troll bead efforts are all going to be very dated imo

Tiffany did suffer from being ubiquitous and overexposed.
But if OP thinks that her daughter will like, then why not, it all goes round in cycles.

How about Nomination? An Italian jewellry range.

these are the ones that I have seen, wither on their own, with a stack of others and with leather Pandora etc they look great www.tiffany.co.uk/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=GRP03770&mcat=148204&cid=287458&search_params=p+1-n+10000-c+287458-s+5-r+201323338-t+-ni+1-x+-lr+0-hr+-ri+-mi+-pp+4296+14&search=0&origin=browse&searchkeyword=

also Thomas sabo but I feel that those won't be as popular in 10 years time, tiffany has been much wanted by 16yr olds since I was 16 (38 now) as they are now. My cousin who is 18 this month is getting the popular silver bracelet with padlock for her birthday, I remember getting mine for my 21st and buying the necklace when I went to new York for the first time.

I think you need to look and discuss with 16yr olds what they like and want, no good really asking a bunch of older women

I would steer clear of a lot of the brands you have mentioned on here. They always date.
I would, instead for for a small local designer and go with something from them. Make sure their work is individual and not 'inspired' by high street trends.
A quick Google should help you find a local, independant silversmith.

I am in the industry and although have sold a lot of premium high street names I would never spend a lot of money on them as they are always copied quickly and lose their appeal.

I'd go for vintage or antique. But I was going to buy DD an Edwardian bracelet. Really lovely. She turned her nose up at it. so in the end you have to buy something she will like.

That Danielle Draper jewellery is lovely ettiketti