When you’re shopping for a gift of jewelry, there are a few things to look for to ensure you choose the highest-quality materials. You want your gift to reflect beauty, durability, and above all, quality. Here are the keys to recognizing these qualities:

For a beautiful gift of high-quality diamond jewelry, look for:
D- to I-grade color to avoid color noticeable to the unaided eye
FL- to SI-grade clarity to avoid inclusions noticeable to the unaided eye

Blue Nile follows these quality standards to ensure that even the smallest diamonds have the most beautiful brilliance. Diamond stud earrings are the most popular diamond jewelry, and diamond pendants run a close second, as each of them can be worn anywhere, any time.

An inexpensive, personalized gift. For silver jewelry that will last, choose durable sterling silver. Blue Nile offers only sterling silver, so your gift won’t wear down to brass like silver plating can. Silver is very affordable, and many of the sterling silver bracelets, key rings, and cuff links at Blue Nile can be engraved for a truly personalized gift.

A gift every woman loves. For beautiful gold jewelry, look for 18k gold. It has more beautiful gold color than 14k, but more strength and durability than pure 24k gold. Blue nile’s gold jewelry is all 18k gold, but may include 14k gold accents, clasps, or posts in instances where strength is essential. Choose a beautiful 18k gold Byzantine necklace and matching bracelet for a gift she’ll love to wear — and she’ll think of you each time she puts it on.

The can’t-go-wrong gift. Choose only the finest jewelry-grade platinum with 95% purity. Blue nile’s platinum jewelry includes 95% pure platinum, and 5% alloys of metals to increase the metal’s beauty and durability. They set all loose diamonds in the engagement settings with the strength and security of platinum prongs. For a gift she’ll love, choose stylish platinum hoop earrings or a classic platinum woven necklace.

For the most beautiful pearls, the most important thing to look for is a high to medium luster grade. Luster gives a pearl that deep, reflective look only pearls are known for. Also, for a smooth appearance, choose pearls with a surface grade of flawless to lightly spotted. At Blue Nile, you’ll find pearl jewelry that upholds these standards. And pearls make the perfect gift. The classic pearl necklace — an Akoya princess-length strand — is an essential for every woman’s wardrobe. And for an affordable gift for any occasion, she’ll love Freshwater pearl stud earrings.

Tags: diamond ring, engagement ring, Jewelry, jewelry guide, wedding ring