THE JOURNAL
If you’re looking for a high-impact gift this holiday season, a well-chosen piece of fine jewellery can really lay down the marker. And not just for adding sparkle to the big day, but as an accessory with the potential to outlast everything else in a man’s wardrobe. Not to mention as a constant reminder of the person who gave it to them (that’s you). In short, you want a present that’s also an investment buy: this is it.
But it’s also a big outlay. So you’re going to want to get it right. With that in mind, here’s how to approach jewellery as a gift, whether he’s just getting started or looking to give his existing collection a little more character.
01. Where to start
When it comes to buying jewellery for a man, the most obvious pointer is what he already wears. This could mean the pieces he owns. Or, for a guy who rarely rocks some rocks, looking to his wider wardrobe.
If he never takes his watch off, you could try adding a bracelet. If his clothing rotation is built around T-shirts and open-collar shirts, maybe a necklace to set it off? And if rings have always seemed a little too formal, look for a design that feels more sculptural than traditional.
02. Keep it simple (or don’t)
If he’s the kind of guy who likes statement jewellery already, then great – you have something to work with. However, not everyone wants jewellery that competes with their outfit – or catches the light from across the room.
With many men, there is still a tendency to treat jewellery as something to be reserved for weddings, evenings out or the occasional holiday outfit. And yet the best jewellery is rarely about the occasion (other than, you know, the day it is gifted). It is about what happens when a piece becomes part of a man’s everyday look, sitting alongside the watch he never takes off or the jacket he’s owned for so long that it has acquired its own personality. The key is to find the piece that just slots into his life and wardrobe.
03. Remember it’s an accessory
Key to the above is to think about it as you would gifting him any other accessory, such as a hat, scarf or belt. The best accessories are the ones a man can put on in the morning, forget about by lunchtime and wonder how they ever dressed without.
Most men’s wardrobes are built on a dependable palette. Black, navy, grey, white, perhaps a little olive green if they’re feeling getting adventurous. There is nothing wrong with this – neutrals earn their place because they work. But it makes jewellery an especially useful way to introduce colour without having to rethink the rest of an outfit. Find something that works within that context.
The other misconception is that a piece of jewellery means committing to a particular look. He doesn’t have to be a man who regularly rocks six rings at once to appreciate a good signet. And he doesn’t have to dress like a rock star to justify a chain. Sometimes, all an outfit needs is one unexpected detail. That you are the one to give him that edge is a bonus – and one he will never forget.
04. What to buy
Rings
For those new to it, rings are one of the easier ways to experiment with jewellery. It doesn’t require you to reconsider your entire outfit. In fact, the right design can make a familiar combination of jeans and a T-shirt feel more stylish. One can be worn with tailoring for a little contrast or introduce some texture to an otherwise understated look. The only practical consideration, especially when buying for someone else, is fit.
A signet ring is, in turn, a great gateway into rings themselves. They’ve been around long enough to acquire a certain seriousness. They’re often associated with family crests, initials and the business of leaving one’s mark. So much so that it can sometimes feel as though it requires a family history to go with it. However, there is more to this style than tradition.
David Yurman’s interpretation, combines sterling silver with pietersite, a stone whose swirling patterns give the ring a character that a plain metal band simply cannot replicate. It’s a recognisable piece but not bound by convention.
Chains
Sitting on a neckline, chains can be more conspicuous than other pieces of jewellery. Encourage him to lean into this. A glint of silver or gold is a great way to break up an ensemble. The choice of metal and setting can determine whether a piece feels relaxed, refined or decidedly bold. Coloured stones and gems can also bring a new dimension to familiar clothes while the right beaded necklace can be playful without looking as though they’re dressed for a costume party.
For those who need to be coaxed to try colour, start them off with a single stone or a restrained combination of tones. Recipients who already wear jewellery regularly might prefer a more expressive design or would happily experiment with layering different pieces or even metals. There is no need to turn their neck into a display cabinet. One good piece is often enough.
Bracelets
For a low-key look, a bracelet can be the piece that adds texture rather than sparkle. If he rarely takes his watch off, look for a bracelet that complements its proportions without vying for attention.
Beaded designs, braided leather, dark stones, polished silver and mixed-metal finishes all offer different ways to approach wristwear. Some are deliberately understated. Others introduce enough colour or contrast to become a focal point. The common thread is versatility – a good bracelet should feel as natural with a relaxed shirt as it does with a heavier jacket.
Something to remember: there is no need to match everything. A silver watch and a darker beaded bracelet can coexist perfectly well, even if they weren’t designed as a set. In fact, an outfit often looks more personal when its accessories feel collected over time rather than purchased all at once.
And if he does decide to stack, he should pay attention to weight and proportion. A few contrasting textures can look considered. An entire jewellery box on one wrist is a different proposition.
Earrings
Earrings are an interesting one. For some men, they’re as much a part of getting dressed as putting on a watch. For others, they’re still something they’ve thought about but never quite committed to (although, if they haven’t already had their ears pierced then this is very likely a non-starter as a gift). Either way, earrings have a knack for changing the mood of an outfit without requiring much effort.
The trick is finding a shape that feels natural to him. And he needn’t save earrings for nights out. A pared-back design works just as well with a white T-shirt and denim as it does with tailoring. The contrast between something informal and a well-chosen piece of jewellery is often what makes the combination interesting.
05. Make it personal
When it comes down to it, this gift should be about the recipient. Stop thinking about jewellery that follows a prescribed set of rules about what men should or shouldn’t wear and think about what would work for him. That could be a simple silver ring or a diamond-set bracelet that looks as though it belongs in a museum exhibition.
But don’t forget the other key party in this transaction: you. Whichever piece you choose is likely to stay with him for a long time, so make sure it represents a piece of you, too.