Jewelry

Running out of time and want to shine? Buy her jewelry - Midland Reporter-Telegram

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of stories about how to buy special Christmas gifts. Also in this series are steps for buying someone a gun for Christmas and what to consider when purchasing a Rolex wristwatch.

It’s almost Christmas, and you still haven’t gotten that “wow” gift for your wife or girlfriend. Is it too late? Not if you’re considering giving the gift of jewelry.

Occasions Fine Jewelry owner Michael Fleck has been at the helm of the family business for the past two years after buying the company from his father, who started in the trade after going bankrupt in the oil industry.

From its humble beginnings in a family member’s pharmacy to its current location at 2308 W. Loop 250 N., Occasions has been matching Midlanders with perfect pieces since 1989. Long gone are the days when Occasions wasn’t much more than two card tables and a repair desk, but West Texans’ flair for fine jewelry remains the same.

Fleck recently talked with the Reporter-Telegram about how to hit a home run with your gift of jewelry — no matter how close to Christmas you buy it.

The sure thing

There are a lot of options with jewelry. There are different metals to consider, a variety of precious gemstones to choose from and different ways for the jewelry to be adorned. Fleck, though, said if you want to make a good first impression, go with a staple.

“Diamond stud earrings are a beautiful first gift,” he said. “They start at $199 up and go up from there. Plus, they’re rarely returned. It’s a classic piece.”

If the person you’re buying for already has diamond stud earrings, Fleck suggests going with a necklace. “There’s also the classic diamond pendant. You have clusters for less than $100, and they go up much higher from there.”

Talk it out

If you’d like to dig a little bit deeper, come prepared to talk. Sales associates will ask many questions to learn about who you’re buying for, so it’s best for everyone if you “know who she is and what she wants,” Fleck said.

Fleck advises analyzing jewelry the gift recipient already owns and wears, taking note of types, stones and the metals they’re made of. Also pay attention to those pieces she wears daily or regularly.

“Most women have a piece of jewelry that they love to wear every day. If you can find the reason, we can help you get the perfect piece,” he said.

There are other steps you can take to prepare. Talk with her friends, check out her Facebook and Pinterest posts and take pictures of jewelry she already has.

The more research you do beforehand, the better your chance of finding the piece that will create a memory she’ll cherish for a lifetime.

What’s in

— Ready to shine: Fleck says diamond classics are the trend this year. Diamond stud earrings, diamond hoop earrings, basic diamond drop pendants, diamond tennis bracelets, diamond tennis necklaces — “You can’t go wrong with diamonds.”

West Texans in particular favor big, clustered, showy diamonds, which Fleck describes as “old Hollywood” style.

— Stack it: Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to jewelry. Fleck says the layering of small pieces is also quite popular, such as multiple necklaces.

Bracelets are also popular, particularly bangles.

“We have a long-standing love for bangle bracelets,” Fleck said. “They’re wonderful because you can stack them, and they have a lot of personality to them. If you have a colorful person who really likes to shine, a bracelet might be perfect for them.”

Fleck said that bangles have been popular for so long that he considers them officially entered into jewelry staple status, rather than a passing fad.

 If you’re worried that a bracelet isn’t desirable because your jewelry giftee wears a watch, fitness tracker or other wrist accessories, have no fear.

“You have a whole lot of arm, so you can wear a FitBit and a diamond bracelet,” Fleck said. Plus, “The best thing about bracelets is you can’t ever have too many.”

— Color statement: Midlanders might favor large, showy diamonds, but they also love large turquoise pieces. It’s a hint of Southwest flair that fits right in with West Texas style.

— Ring her in: Popular holidays are often prime time for marriage proposals, but before you pop the question, get ready to be asked a lot of questions to make sure you get the perfect engagement ring.

“All we really need to know about is her,” Fleck said. “Is she a sporty person? What is her job? What are her hobbies? What color do you see her wearing more often? Is she more into jeans and a T-shirt or dresses? Questions like these help paint a picture of who she is.”

The process helps make sure you find a ring to fit the future fiancé’s lifestyle for purposes of fashion and utility. For example, a doctor who wears gloves a lot likely won’t be served well with a tall diamond. A low-base mounting is likely more appropriate and perhaps the shine is amplified by several diamonds mounted on the sides.

As for cuts, “The round, brilliant cut diamond is by far the most popular right now and keeps gaining steam,” Fleck said. “In West Texas, it’s the princess cut. Nationwide, it’s more the cushion.”

Stores like Occasions also have near-finished rings so you can choose the diamond to be mounted.

— Less conventional: One trend in jewelry taking shape is the use of geometry. Squares and triangles are being put together artistically, Fleck said, which can make quite a statement.

Another popular option is the use of negative space, where, for example, a ring shows the finger underneath.

— Second chances: If the piece of jewelry you’ve gifted hits a foul ball or strikes out, most jewelry stores, Occasions included, will accept returns. Be sure to check the store’s return policy.

Fleck suggests that gifter and giftee to come to the store together after Christmas so they can work together to find the perfect piece.

— When to walk away: Fleck says that you should never feel uncomfortable when buying jewelry. If you feel like a salesperson is pushing you into purchasing an item, don’t go any further and walk away.

A forced or influenced sale likely will result in the purchase of an inappropriate or undesirable piece.

“If you want to be the gift giver, you want a home run every time,” he said.

A salesperson’s role is to help you put the puzzle together. Once the picture is clear, “If you like it, she’ll like it.” Fleck said.

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