DECATUR – Hoping to get your Valentine a piece of jewelry thisyear, but not sure in which direction to go? Here are somesuggestions from local jewelers.
* Gold-tipped roses: if you want to buy flowers for that specialsomeone but are worried about them wilting and dying within a shortperiod of time, consider a gold-tipped rose, said Doug Bell, ownerof Bell’s Jewelry, 112 E. Prairie Ave. The local jewelry store isoffering a single, gold-tipped rose, a small box of candy and apair of stud earrings for $99.
“The roses are real and come in different colors,” said Bell,adding that the store began selling them about five yearsago.
The tips of the roses are dipped in real gold and the rest of theflower is finished in shellac, which helps preserve them.
* Hershey’s Kisses necklaces: considering getting your sweetheartsome sweets this year? Surprise her with a sweet that sparkles,such as a Hershey’s Kisses necklace from Flora Gems, 101 N. WaterSt.
“They come in sterling silver or white gold with diamonds,” saidMark Fandel, a personal jeweler, estate jewelry buyer and appraiserat the store.
The pieces are shaped just like the Kisses candy, he said.
* Chamilia bracelets and Kameleon jewelry: a woman’s jewelry tastescan be ever-changing, so giving her a bracelet or ring she canchange or add to could be just the gift for your Valentine, saidPatty Sammons, co-owner of E. Ryan Jewelers, 2525 N. WaterSt.
“They’re very popular because you can customize and personalizethem,” Sammons said.
Chamilia makes a number of beads that can be placed on theirsterling silver, gold or leather bracelets.
Kameleon offers necklaces, rings and earrings that can be changedout as well. With inserts known as “JewelPops” that come in avariety of colors and materials, such as Mother of Pearl, Swarovskicrystals and opals, the pieces can be dressy or casual, saidSammons.
* Estate jewelry: Whether your Valentine likes vintage jewelry orfavors a modern look, a jeweler’s estate jewelry collection may beworth checking out this year.
“Estate jewelry is popular year-round,” said Fandel. “There’s alarge variety of it (at Flora Gems), with some of it new and someof it quite old and vintage.”
Be it a diamond from a wedding ring that was traded in for a largerstone, or jewelry that was brought in by the executor of an estate,Fandel said most of Flora Gem’s estate pieces comes from localsellers.
“We buy it here, over the counter,” Fandel said, noting that often,the store can then sell it for a lower price. “It’s all about value… and estate jewelry is a very good value.”
* Jewelry basics: There are certain jewelry items every womanshould have, and those can make for perfect gifts, said JillDeLong, senior sales associate at Ray Eldridge Jewelers, 3012 N.Water St.
“A simple solitaire necklace or a pair of pearl stud earrings,something basic, can be nice,” said DeLong.
The best gift for your sweetheart will be one that matches herpersonality.
“If she doesn’t wear big jewelry, don’t get her a big necklace orring,” said DeLong. “Pay attention to the type of jewelry she wearsand try to find out what she likes or doesn’t like.”
nharbour@herald-review.com|421-7963
Diamonds are forever, but gold tipped roses, jewelry last a long time, too
