Birthday Gift for my niece who's turning 12.

[elle_chris]

Hi everyone-

My niece is turning 12 July 4th. She'll be staying with us during her birthday and I want to get something special - her first piece of real jewelry.

I didn't want to spend much on a gift that she could easily lose at her age, but I also wanted to get her something that can grow with her so I decided on
a small emerald heart pendant. I chose this particular pendant because I thought the heart shape was sweet for a girl her age. At the same time, I'm wondering if she'll grow out of it?

I ordered it already but can still cancel if you all think I can do better? I want a simple pendant preferably Ruby (her birthstone), or Emerald around .25-.30ct
on a gold chain and I want to keep it under 500. Do you all think this is good? Or should I cancel and keep looking?

Any other pendant ideas for a young girl? Or should I stick with this one?
Link to necklace here


Pic:

 

[Avondale]

I thought the heart shape was sweet for a girl her age. At the same time, I'm wondering if she'll grow out of it?

Just think about all the grown women on this forum wearing gems cut in the shape of a heart.
We don't really grow out of it. Besides, it's green. Beautiful, neutral colour. You don't run the risk of her going "I'm too old for pink" one day.

One thing that concerns me slightly with this particular pendant is that the prongs holding the stone seem a bit too big for it and you can't see the full beauty of the heart. It could be just the picture or the angle under which it was taken.

Second thing is that it appears the chain is permanently attached to the pendant. You're buying for a little girl and chances are she might accidentally pull on and break the chain during some mundane daily task. That would require the whole piece to be sent for repair. If the pendant is separate, she can just put it on another chain. As she grows up, she'll also be able to opt for a longer one.

 

[lucida818]

Emerald isn’t a very hard & durable gem, much care is needed to baby it. Is it hence suitable for an active girl of her age? Is she going to shower & sleep in it? Imagine the hair & body shampoo....
Hopefully an expert will chime in soon to give better advice. I must compliment what a thoughtful aunt you are

 

[Ellipses]

Hi everyone-

My niece is turning 12 July 4th. She'll be staying with us during her birthday and I want to get something special - her first piece of real jewelry.

I didn't want to spend much on a gift that she could easily lose at her age, but I also wanted to get her something that can grow with her so I decided on
a small emerald heart pendant. I chose this particular pendant because I thought the heart shape was sweet for a girl her age. At the same time, I'm wondering if she'll grow out of it?

I ordered it already but can still cancel if you all think I can do better? I want a simple pendant preferably Ruby (her birthstone), or Emerald around .25-.30ct
on a gold chain and I want to keep it under 500. Do you all think this is good? Or should I cancel and keep looking?

Any other pendant ideas for a young girl? Or should I stick with this one?
Link to necklace here


Pic:

Hmmm…I am probably one of the closest people on this forum in terms of your daughter’s age, so maybe I can think of a few things. I think it might be best to ask her what her choice of color is between red and green. Or if your slightly more open to other gemstones, then ask her what is her favorite color (actually best though if you ask what color she hates, as I think that kind of preference doesn’t change to easily and know what to avoid, green has been a consistent disliked color for me so…). Another thing you may consider, is asking what her favorite shape or motif or theme she likes. If she seems to like a consistent style (if you know her that well enough but idk), getting one mixes well with this might be good. I have gotten several diamond necklaces over the past few years for my birthdays, but I keep consistently choosing to wear a certain one, as I don’t like the style of the others presented to me. One other thing to keep in mind though is does she wear jewelry consistently. Because if she doesn’t, there may not be much use in getting her jewelry at all, as it may sit in its case buried somewhere, which is going to be the same reaction if she doesn’t like the necklace. Looking at the way me and my younger sibling behave, even if we get a gift from someone, if we don’t like it it won’t see the light of day except when needed. However, I do agree a simple pendent is the best, as I still see females in my age group where pendants like the one shown above. Just maybe make sure what ever it is that it’s pleasing to the her eyes (and the easiest is just getting the main stone in a color she doesn’t hate, if your not that close). But if she the type not to care to much, then the style of the one above is fine. So keep looking, I’d say yah, maybe look through all the possible options once you talk to her about preferences.
The other things that posts before mention are worthy things to consider as well. I myself am to lazy to take off my necklace so it’s on me 24/7 unless absolutely necessary or things like cleaning it up when I feel like it. And I have had 1 of my diamond necklaces chain break on me because it was to thin (on top of it being super duper uncomfortable to wear so it was probably the reason I broke it as a baby).

 

[Avondale]

Is she going to shower & sleep in it?

I myself am to lazy to take off my necklace so it’s on me 24/7 unless absolutely necessary or things like cleaning it up when I feel like it.

Ah, so I'm not the odd one out, never taking a necklace off?
The ladies raise a valid point. If she's likely to wear it 24/7 and you want it to be an emerald, it will need to be a no oil one.

 

[Ellipses]

Ah, so I'm not the odd one out, never taking a necklace off?
The ladies raise a valid point. If she's likely to wear it 24/7 and you want it to be an emerald, it will need to be a no oil one.

Yah, most of us who are lazy or forget will never take it off. Although the reason why I don’t is so I don’t lose it and because my mother also never took hers off except when changing necklaces (which I’ve only seen her do 2-3 times).

 

[elle_chris]

Thanks for the replies.

Regarding taking it off - I don't think she'll wear it 24/7 especially if I let her know, and let her mother know to remind her.

But she's going to be 12 and at 12 I don't expect her to remember to always take it off.

@Avondale - You have a point about stationary vs sliding, but visually I definitely prefer stationary.

@lucida818 - My other option is Ruby (supposedly these are the two she likes.) I would love to get a similar ruby pendant but I haven't seen anything in this price range with a color I like.

@Ellipses - She's still 11 so not much jewelry going on in her life. Her favorite colors are Red and Green, hence the Emerald. She doesn't really have many preferences (yet). I think she's still too young to develop any opinions on jewelry.

I do think the point about emerald being too soft is true and something I hadn't considered for an active young girl.

Any ideas on where I can find a similar pendant with a Ruby?

 

[pearlsngems]

This may or may not be true of your niece, but my daughter never liked to have to fiddle around with clasps and has always preferred a necklace she can slip over her head.

Also she has always preferred fashion jewelry over the real gems we got her. The real ones just sit there in her jewelry box. At different ages she has liked everything from a flamingo pendant, to an owl pendant, to a Tardis!

 

[pearlsngems]

This may or may not be something she would like, but does she like bells? I have one of these bell pendants by Gordon R. Barnett. They come with a black silk cord but I bought a long silver chain to hang it from instead.

GRB BELLS

GRB BELLS

www.grbbells.com

 

[seaurchin]

First, I think this is a lovely, special idea.

That said, I also think it could be a hit or a miss, depending on several factors. We don't have much background info. here so if this doesn't apply, maybe it will still help someone else. (Edits added here and there since we cross-posted).

The first thing that popped into my mind is if you've spoken to her parents about it? I don't know what your relationship with them is but, personally, I would want someone to ask me before buying my child something expensive or grown-up. And also to check if they have something in mind for her first piece of real jewelry themselves, if it's significant to them.

Also, do you know what this girl likes? It would be a shame to spend that much only to have her shrug and toss it in a drawer lol. (Edit: I see your more recent posts now. Maybe better to ask about it first since she may not even be interested in jewelry at this point).

Personally, I'd also limit the budget to about half of the $500 mentioned, for a twelve-year-old (Edit: which I now see the piece you've picked out so far actually is quite a bit less than $500).

Then, about the piece shown, itself. As has been stated, emerald is on the soft side. Also, since you wanted something she could grow into, it's hard to say but something a little larger might be more likely to be worn longer.

Other ideas are a larger open heart pendant with tiny diamonds or an initial/monogram pendant. Or one of the many real gold birthstone pendants, though I think the gems on them are usually synthetic (but probably tougher than genuine emerald). Overstock.com has quite a few ruby necklaces.

Hope this helps rather than me just coming across as a wet blanket!

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[Ellipses]

Thanks for the replies.

Regarding taking it off - I don't think she'll wear it 24/7 especially if I let her know, and let her mother know to remind her.

But she's going to be 12 and at 12 I don't expect her to remember to always take it off.

@Avondale - You have a point about stationary vs sliding, but visually I definitely prefer stationary.

@lucida818 - My other option is Ruby (supposedly these are the two she likes.) I would love to get a similar ruby pendant but I haven't seen anything in this price range with a color I like.

@Ellipses - She's still 11 so not much jewelry going on in her life. Her favorite colors are Red and Green, hence the Emerald. She doesn't really have many preferences (yet). I think she's still too young to develop any opinions on jewelry.

I do think the point about emerald being too soft is true and something I hadn't considered for an active young girl.

Any ideas on where I can find a similar pendant with a Ruby?

Maybe Angara though I don’t have any experience with them and don’t know whether the rubies are lab created.

 

[OneKuhlChic]

I like the heart necklace as you don't have to worry about the stone breaking, the pendant can be changed, and you can wear gold 24/7/365. Although you may want to get a hold chain that's heavy enough that it won't break easily.

 

[Cinders]

I think this is an adorable & special gift for your niece. Even if she doesn't appreciate it now it's something that could always be worn later in life. I don't think an emerald necklace would take very much abuse in the daily life of a 12-year-old girl. Even if she lives a very rough and tumble sort of life, the necklace could be saved for special occasions.

I bought my first piece of jewelry (for myself) when I was only 6 & I had that glass pendant until I was an adult. It was lost during a move but I probably owned it for about 18 years. If it had been an emerald, and a gift, I would have cared for it even more carefully.

But, I'm not really part of the more pragmatic school of thought regarding kids & things/experiences, so you might want to take my advice with a grain of salt.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Just check she likes hearts
sure most of the forum seenms to,
but not everyone
I would have never worn one, then, now or never although i was gifted a silver one once ive worn once (actually recently)

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

However i think buying a gift like this is just the nicest thing
are you the favourite aunty ?

I think you need to get some input from your niece
i still wear the signet ring i got when i was 12 but it sat around neglected for many years

for my 21st my best aunty and uncle gave me an exspensive watch
i never wore it as i had a job where i got wet and dirty - its sitting in a drawer with a flat battery

 

[elle_chris]

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, appreciate it.

 

[Bron357]

What a beautiful gesture.
I’m very much in favour of giving jewellery as gifts, long lasting and meaningful.
I do ask the mother though, what would be preferred. You want it to be loved and worn.
I have gifted necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

 

[LilAlex]

Agree on the lovely gesture. I vote for a substantial plain gold chain, which she can wear all day, every day and keep forever. A heart may mean something else to her peers -- now or very soon.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Agree on the lovely gesture. I vote for a substantial plain gold chain, which she can wear all day, every day and keep forever. A heart may mean something else to her peers -- now or very soon.

Year i love the idea of a chain
i got an 18k gold chain for my 14th

unfortunately i got 'fat neck' in the last few years so i scraped it (it was a box chain) as it felt too tight so think carefully about the length