16 Pieces of Jewelry For Everyone on Your List

In this edition of The Gift, we’re making the case for why a great piece of jewelry is a can’t-go-wrong gift.

Unwrapping a sparkly, shining jewel on a December morning is not something that should be reserved for romantic partners. In fact, practically the only person on my list who is not getting jewelry for the holidays this year is my beloved husband, who won’t even wear a watch without complaining of discomfort.

In my opinion, jewelry is the perfect gift. It’s personal. It’s pretty. It becomes a daily reminder of your relationship with your recipient, and, it can last forever. And, unless you want to splash out “Santa Baby”-style on diamonds and gems, it can be affordable.

Don’t tell them, but here’s what my nearest and dearest — men, women, old, and young — are getting this season. Some are coveted pieces from our ultimate gift guide to jewelry, and others are new little treasures I found while on the holiday prowl.

• My bestie is getting these disco-licious gold earrings, because she loves (and can absolutely pull off) a pair of big, 80s statement earrings. If I were feeling flush, though, I’d get us matching shooting star rings because, swoon.
• I gave my stylish and highly particular college-age son a silver Figaro chain necklace last year, and he’s still wearing it daily. This year, he’s getting a pair of tiny black hoops so he can finally replace the stainless steel piercing studs he’s been wearing for two years.
• His twin sister, who has multiple ear piercings but doesn’t have the budget to buy herself pieces that don’t turn her skin green, is getting a pair of 10-karat gold huggies so she can keep her ear stack on point without getting infections. She might also get one of these delicate beaded necklaces in her stocking — you can choose which gemstone, from tourmaline to garnet to agate, your giftee might prefer.
• My honorary niece still hasn’t grown out of the koala necklace I gave her when she was six. But now that she’s 10, she’s getting a brightly beaded name necklace with a matching bracelet to celebrate double-digits.
• If I could swing it, I’d get my mom this extraordinary gold cuff with opals and diamonds. Alas, it’s not in my financial cards this year. But this elegant, slightly groovy silver and opal solitaire necklace is coming her way (and is probably more her style anyway).
• If my husband would deign to wear jewelry, I think I’d get him this low-key, slinky, herringbone bronze hematite bracelet — I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something sexy about it. Or maybe this boxchain bracelet in titanium — my colleague Phillip Zminda loves his.
• As for me, some of my own most beloved pieces include this chunky Oy Vey ring I got from my mom and have barely taken off in two years, and this gold and turquoise anniversary band that I stack with my wedding rings.

Oh, and if anyone’s asking, yes, baubles are on my wish list this year, too. I am a wearer of an earring stack, a wrist stack, and a necklace stack. But I’m keeping it simple this year — just this perfect delicate gold bangle, please.