Her Hero: A Jewellery Buying Guide for Men

Buying jewellery can be intimidating. Whether it’s picking out her forever ring or bringing home the perfect birthday gift, men often report feeling anxious about getting it right. There’s an overwhelming range of categories and styles. How can anyone narrow down all those options to the exact piece that will make their loved one feel special and seen?

The good news: we’re here to spill some secrets and help you be her hero! In our 25 years in business, we’ve helped many thousands of shoppers and get almost zero returns. There are a few simple principles that anyone can apply. You don’t need to learn the four qualities of a diamond to master how to find things that will remind her of your unique bond whenever she wears it.

(Though we’re focusing here on traditional romantic gifts, much of this also applies to platonic relationships and all forms of love. Every connection is special, beautiful, and worth celebrating.)

#1 - It’s Not Just About the Money

Some people cling to old social rules, like that an engagement ring should cost at least 2-3 months of salary. But this is the wrong way to pick out something she’ll truly cherish. Sometimes the perfect thing is expensive. Sometimes it isn’t. Over time what she’s going to focus on most is how it reflects how you see her, not just how much you spent. 

Jewellery is a form of intimate art. It’s a way of telling deeply personal stories, and of reminding ourselves who we are and what we mean to each other. While more costly stones and settings are one way of saying “I find you this important”, there’s only so much meaning in the price tag alone. 

Everyone wants to feel like the only person their beloved sees in a crowded room. Finding the right piece is a bit like that. It’s about selecting the thing that captures that same sense of “for you and you alone”. 

#2 - It’s About Emotional Storytelling 

Women often use the expression “I just need to put myself together”. While in a practical sense this means choosing the right clothes and accessories and doing our hair and makeup a certain way, it goes deeper than just that. It’s about trying to put our best and fullest self on display.

Life is stressful, and rarely goes to plan. We all worry that we’re never quite living up the ideas we have for ourselves. What we wear is one thing we can at least control. It can also help ground us emotionally as we go through our hectic days. Looking down at our ring or favourite pendant can be a reminder of the security of someone’s love for us, or of a moment in which we felt truly connected and whole. These reminders matter, and are like little love notes we can wear.

For example, we carry a wide range of Pyrrha talismans, which are necklaces meant to emphasize a certain hope, trait, or desire. Each one is uniquely stamped and comes with a parchment notecard explaining its symbolism. When you’re looking at the options, aspects like colours and sizes matter. But it’s more about “what will she think about when she reaches for it or sees it in the mirror”. 

#3 - It Must Be Personal

When you come into our shop, we ask a lot of questions. Which colours make her feel confident and powerful? How connected does she feel to her birthstone? How does she wear her hair? Does she like how her neck or wrists look? Does she hide certain things in photos? Is she into trends or is she more into timelessness? How many different "looks" does she have?

It’s ok if you don’t know all these answers! We can look at her pictures together, or call her friends with you. But the heart of every shopping experience is trying to figure out what will work for her specifically.

#4 - Sometimes Older is Better

There’s a reason that weddings emphasize “something old and something new”. Some pieces of jewellery should be new, representing either a new milestone or new beginning. But heirlooms also connect us to the long history of loves that brought us here. 

We talk about this more in our guide on Turning Old Jewellery into New Stories. Perhaps one of you inherited a ring or brooch from your grandparents. These can be reworked to reflect new styles and preferences, where you can add your new chapter to a long and enduring story. 

If you bring in what you have, we’re happy to offer free consultations. We do custom restorations and redesigns right here in the shop, ensuring that the final product always reflects your preferences and everything that we’ve learned about both of you.

(We keep fully private records so that future shopping experiences account for what we’ve already learned. This data is precious, and we never share it anywhere.)

#5 - Sometimes The Best Choice is Her Choice

While gift cards often don’t in themselves feel very personal, that’s often because they’re purchased and given in too casual a way. 

Your loved one may be delighted to receive an invitation for a personal shopping party with a few close friends. We can put your gift card on file along with all your notes, and then treat her to an experience where she can pick out something that speaks to her while making an event of it. 

You can read more about how we handle these occasions here. For special situations we can also arrange these outside our normal operating hours, with optional light refreshments.