Gifts for women

[Sammyo77]

This seemed like a useful place to ask for ideas. I would like to get my girlfriend something nice for her birthday. I was thinking of a bracelet but haven't a clue where to start looking. Any suggestionis or tasteful alternatives would be appreciated. No ludicrous prices please.

[MTM]

I'm no expert on jewelry, but of all the jewelry I've bought over the years the most cherished item was a cheapish silver ring inscribed in Hebrew characters for "I am my beloved and my beloved is mine" (from the Song of Solomon I believe).

If you aren't set on jewelry, I'd recommend a book or a few, particularly ones that show some knowledge and encouragement of her interests. Maybe a coffee table book on human rights issues or on a favorite artist, etc. After books, I'd recommend something she might need or something really useful that would often bring up warm feelings of appreciation in her for you when she uses it. If you can anticipate a need that she hasn't articulated or may not even be aware of, she will be impressed. Something that both caters to her interests and is often used or admired (like art or jewelry) would be best, in my opinion.

A qualification: By "useful" I mean something along the lines of a putting iron rather than a clothing iron!

m

[Arrows]

Sammyo77

Might I respectfully suggest a visit to Tiffany & Co on Bond street? They have a range of bracelets to suit every budget, and having purchased a bracelet from there for my girlfriend two years ago I can assure you that the look on her face when presented with the Tiffany "blue box" bedecked in ribbon is a pleasure to behold.

Unfortunately however this does seem to have become something of a tradition, and you may find yourself in the position that I am in whereby a gift from Tiffany & Co is expected every year........

Alternatively, Cartier is almost next door, and Chopard are across the road.

best regards

Rupert

[East Anglian]

I agree with the Tiffany recommendation. It's an excellent range and you can buy any of the stock in your price bracket over the internet from their excellent site. Of course, you could buy similar merchandise for less elsewhere but Tiffany do employ very good designers and if there is a fault in the workmanship I can attest to the fact that they will sort it out without a ghost of a quibble. My brother-in-law asks me to go into Tiffany at least once a year to buy his latest girlfriend a medium sized silver heart pendant. He's never had one returned.

Should you be feeling like something a bit more bespoke, more or less next door in Bond Street (upstairs of Cartier) is BM Bijoux. They will make you anything at roughly half the cost of a Bond Street jeweller with a street level frontage. They make all their own stuff and the proprietors (and probably all the craftsmen) are ex-Cartier bespoke. When it comes to ordering an engagement ring, nothing beats sitting down with your fiancee and "building" one with plasticine and a bag of diamonds and other gems on one of their workbenches. Highly recommended.

[HappyStroller]

I'm curious what you decided to do eventually, Sammyo77?

Other than sending a trophy wife/wives or supermodel-type mistress/es in a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce to Harry Winston, the House of Cartier, etc., with a blank check, I can't think of anything else better.

[BirdofSydney]

I find one can't go wrong with a nice silk scarf...

[HappyStroller]

That was a wonderful suggestion, Sir.

Now I am able to think of other clothing and apparel articles, including shoes, hats, etc.

[couch]

Since you're in London, Byrd of Sydney's suggestion can be implemented with some flair at Rubinacci. I don't know whether the prices for their printed silk scarves qualify as ludicrous, but they have a wide selectoin and your lady will not meet one coming down every street.

[Cufflink79]

What should one look for in a nice Tea Cup & Saucer?

Also what is the price range for the just the cup and saucer, not the full set?

A lady friend of mine is having a birthday in November, and she collects tea cups.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[BirdofSydney]

I took my own advice or at least tried to over the weekend, but there wasn't a scarf to my taste (or hers) to be found for love or money.

In desperation my eyes descended on a purse in turquoise ostrich skin, which conjured up a very louche twenties vibe to my relatively untrained eyes. On a whim, and with not a little discomfort I purchased it.

Upon presenting it I was met with a look of profound shock, but was promptly informed that she had, in fact, bought a handbag in the very same shade but a few days earlier (not also ostrich, that would be a touch de trop). I am now very firmly in the "good books".

Sometimes you just have to trust your instinct, clearly!

[Algernon]

What should one look for in a nice Tea Cup & Saucer?

Also what is the price range for the just the cup and saucer, not the full set?

A lady friend of mine is having a birthday in November, and she collects tea cups.

If you're not a china expert, and if you're in the UK, you might try the antique section in Fortnum & Mason; unless it has changed, I don't think you could 'go wrong' if you picked any of their antique china.

Yrs,
Algernon.

[Sammyo77]

I bought some earrings made by Calgari that were for sale in a jewellers called Dower & Hall. They were solid silver, which she prefers to gold, though they had the appearance of being wrapped in part in silk thread of a deep pink colour. This, too, was silver, however; the technique is apparently a Calgari secret.

Then we went to the Opera and out to dinner.