Stumped for the perfect present?
How about a gift of gold?Prized since ancient times, it's the first metal mentioned in the Bible. In early civilizations, is was associated with sun gods. Throughout the centuries, it has been the most popular choice for jewelry. Its timelessness and beauty are two reasons gold has endured as a beloved jewelry selection.
"It has a history," Christine Yorke, merchandise manager for the World Gold Council, said in explaining its appeal. "Just the fact that it's been around for so long makes it something that's really valued. It was one of the original gifts for Christmas, so that gives it a nice little feature."
Yorke said people also like gold because it expresses emotion and its sunny color reflects warmth.
Gold jewelry also doesn't have to break the budget.
Gold charms can be had for under $100 - and they're not just for bracelets anymore. Charms now adorn necklaces and increasingly are seen dangling merrily from hoop earrings.
Also relatively inexpensive are gold heart pendants, bow pins, delicate link bracelets and love-knot earrings.
"People are wearing charm bracelets again, but it doesn't have to be loaded with charms. It can have just one very special charm," Yorke said. "Sometimes people will take a charm, like a heart, and put several hearts on one bracelet."
Theme bracelets are popular. "One interesting variation is celestial - it has sun, moon and stars charms. It has a kind of romantic overtone."
Romantic themes are showing up more and more in gold jewelry. Hearts can be found on earrings, pendants and bracelets. Also popular are floral motifs, lacy patterns and some finishes that are evocative of the Victorian age, Yorke said.
For men, there are all kinds of gold cuff links that come in a variety of finishes - matte, satin or polish.
Yorke said men's signet rings are making a comeback as well as gold ID bracelets. For formal wear, the popular woven knot seen in women's earrings is emerging as a men's tie stud for black tie affairs. Matching cuff links also are available.
Necklaces traditionally have been the leading category of gold jewelry sales - and this season is no exception.
What is new is the wide variety now available. Time was when people bought a simple rope chain necklace. Those are still around, but fashion trends now feature many other styles, such as chunky gold chokers (often with matching bracelets), long link chains, and necklaces with intricate motifs that are either small and airy or strikingly large.
"One of the other things we've seeing more of is what we call convertible jewelry," Yorke said. "You get a choker length necklace and matching bracelet and the two can be put together to form a longer necklace, so you're getting three for the price of two."
Another example is hoop earrings with dangle charms. The charms also can be worn on a chain as a pendant or on a bar pin. "People like the idea of being able to get a couple of variations out of something."
Continuing this idea of versatility is the innovative use of decorative clasps on gold necklaces. Clasps can be worn in front as a decorative element or in back for a simpler look.
Yorke said yellow is by far the color of choice for gold jewelry, but many people like pieces that mix yellow, pink and white gold. "These are looks that have been pretty popular in Europe for a while and now are beginning to make their way over here."
Gold also is the top choice for wedding and engagement rings in this country.
You don't have to be an expert to get a good buy, but it helps to know a little about gold.
Karat is the measure of gold purity (it is different from a "carat," which is the unit of weight for gemstones).
One karat is 1/24 pure, so 24 karat gold is pure gold.
Gold is mixed with different alloys to create 18K, 14K or 10K jewelry. The higher the karat, the more pure gold is in a piece of jewelry. However, higher karat jewelry also is softer.
Europeans like 18K gold and people in many Asian countries favor 24K gold, but Americans overwhelmingly prefer 14K gold because it is more durable.
For more information about gold jewelry, take a look at "The Gold Jewelry Buying Guide" ($19.95 paperback) by Renee Newman, an International Jewelry Publications book distributed by Seven Hills Book Distributors.