How to buy jewelry for your wife as an anniversary gift

Are you looking for a special, meaningful gift to give your wife on your anniversary? Jewelry has long been a traditional anniversary gift, and with good reason. A gift of jewelry lasts a lifetime, reminding your wife every day of your love and devotion.

Jewelry can be difficult to buy, though. Like clothing, it reflects a woman's personal style, and has to fit properly to be used. There are so many styles and varieties of jewelry out there, it's hard to pick just the right gift for the person that you love. Would she prefer a ring or a bracelet? Gold or silver? Will it fit? A few hints can help you choose just the right piece of jewelry to bring a smile to your wife's face and remind her why she married you in the first place.

1. Know her sizes.
Size matters, don't let anyone tell you different. There's nothing more disappointing than opening that diamond ring - and not being able to put it right on and show it off. This is most important if you're buying a ring, but if your wife is especially small or large, it may affect necklaces, chokers, bracelets and anklets as well.

2. Know her preferences.
Does she absolutely adore white gold, but hates yellow? Is all her jewelry silver or platinum? Some women have very strong preferences about metals and stones that they wear. You want your gift to say 'I notice what you like and I care enough to give it to you.'

3. Know your anniversaries.
Certain anniversaries have well-known materials and gifts associated with them. The 25th is silver, 50th gold, 75th diamond... but what about the others? Each anniversary is associated with a gemstone, flower, gift or material. If you're at a loss for a special gift of jewelry, choose a gift that's associated with that anniversary. Don't be afraid to be creative with it, and mix and match. How about a pair of enameled pansy earrings on your first anniversary, or a brushed silver bracelet engraved with roses on your tenth?

4. Tell her you'd marry her all over again.
Isn't that how the ad for the diamond company goes? You can give a diamond ring for any anniversary, but a gift of a diamond engagement ring can give a very special message on landmark anniversaries. Your lives have changed, and maybe you're finally in a position to afford the ring you'd have loved to give her five years ago. Reaffirm your love and commitment with a diamond ring that says, "I'd do it all again."

5. Be trendy.
Choose a gift of jewelry in a style that's hot hot hot right now. Take a look around your office to see what your female coworkers are wearing. Don't be shy about asking them for advice, either. They'll be utterly charmed by your romantic thoughts, and happy to point you in the direction of a good jeweler and the best deals.

What's hot right now? Italian charms and charm bracelets are among the most popular jewelry gifts being sold. Unlike traditional charm bracelets, where the charms link to a chain bracelet and dangle against the wrist, Italian charms are designed to slide or snap onto a flat bracelet. You can easily design a unique bracelet for your wife for any anniversary by choosing special charms that have meaning to the both of you.

6. Be traditional.
Is your wife's style subtle, understated and eminently elegant? Surprise her with a gift of classic jewelry - the kind of jewelry that never goes out of style. They'll look as fashionable and stylish on your twentieth anniversary as they did on your tenth.

Need some suggestions for classically styled jewelry? Here's the top five list from jewelers:
A strand of pearls - Freshwater or ocean, pearls are one of the most enduring anniversary gifts you can give. You can even start your own tradition - add another strand each year.

A gold and diamond watch - A classic gold and diamond watch is a traditional first anniversary gift, in keeping with the modern tradition that names the first anniversary as the 'clock anniversary'. An elegant gold watch is a gift that she'll wear for years, and bring you to mind every time she looks at it.

A heart-shaped locket - Lockets have a well-deserved reputation as truly romantic gifts. What could be more romantic than a heart-shaped silver or gold locket with a miniature of your wedding photo enclosed in its hinged interior?

cameo - Traditional and lovely, cameos are a reminder of an older, more graceful age when romance flourished. You can find antique and brand new cameos in an incredible variety of shapes, sizes, colors and styles, to be worn as brooches, rings, chokers or pendants.

Diamond earrings - Simple and elegant, diamond earrings are one of the most versatile and elegant gifts you can give your wife.

7. Be romantic.
Go on, be a romantic fool on your anniversary. Bring tears to her eyes with a gift that's sentimental and symbolic of your love for her. Mizpah jewelry has a long tradition. A mizpah is made in two pieces, with a traditional design and verse on each. The verse calls for God to watch over the other during absences and separations. When the pieces are fitted together, they complete the design. They were a common gift between lovers and spouses during the Civil War and WWI, and still a romantic and sentimental gift to give on your anniversary.

Other traditional romantic gifts you might consider:

An Irish Claddagh ring - The heart, hands and crown design have long been a symbol of love, loyalty and unity. Aren't those just the qualities that make your marriage special?

A filigree wish box necklace - A tiny sterling box on a chain, the wish box has a hinged compartment to allow you to slip your special wishes for your wife inside. It's a charming and romantic gift for any anniversary.

8. Be unique.
Want to give her something totally unique? No matter where you live, there's bound to be a jeweler who specializes in custom designs. There's no better way to tell your wife how special and unique you think she is than with a piece of jewelry designed just for her.

Still not sure what to get your wife for your anniversary? Try asking the people who know her best. Ask her mother, sisters or best friends to go shopping with you and help you pick out a gift that she'll treasure forever - because that's how long a well-chosen, well-crafted gift of jewelry will last.