The 31 Best Jewelry Gifts to Slide Under the Tree This Year (Starting at $45)

It really is true that the best gifts come in small packages. Whether you're looking for a present for mom, are planning to treat your partner to something sparkly from her favorite jewelry store this Christmas or want to show your daughter how much you love her,  a teensy box with a glittering chain necklace or timeless pair of pearl earrings tucked inside is a surefire way to satisfy even the pickiest of shoppers. See, jewelry is one of the best presents to give (and receive!) because most pieces can be worn every day and are naturally imbued with sentimental meaning. The fact that they  glint and gleam in the sunlight? Just an added bonus. We dug through tons of the most popular pieces from top jewelry brands to find found 31 of the best jewelry gifts for her, ranging from the ultra-dainty (check out this Mejuri band for $698) to the statement-making ($68). Our list below will have your special someone totally swooning, budget be damned.

• Jillian Sassone is the founder and creative decorator of jewelry brand Marrow Fine, which launched in 2017. Her pieces have since been worn by celebs including Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Fox and TikTok star Sammi Jefcoate, with whom she also collaborated in 2023.
• Jen Reed is the shopping expert behind the blog The Sister Studio and the creator of lifestyle brand Life in Lilac, which has been featured on Good Morning America. 

Jewelry is personal, which is why we included a wide variety of pieces (think rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets) and metals (we found silver, gold and rose gold options, as well as those using solid gold, gold-plated and gold vermeil, which uses sterling silver as its base metal so that it’s less likely to tarnish than gold-plated jewelry). We also considered a range of prices for nearly any budget. In addition, we tapped two jewelry experts to get their thoughts on  the best trends of the season (and beyond) and what to consider when buying jewelry for someone else. More than that, we tested seven of the styles on the list to see if they lived up to their expectations.

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First thing’s first: You’ll want to figure out what kind of jewelry that you’re looking for. “If you don’t know their finger size, then necklaces, earrings and bracelets are probably your safest option,” Sassone advises. You’ll also want to take into account the purpose of the piece you’re looking to gift. “I think it's important to think about how the person is going to wear the pieces—is it every day? Is it a special occasion?” she asks. From there, you can take your giftee’s style into consideration and have fun picking pieces to add to their stacks or ones that will shine all alone. 

When considering gemstones, you can opt for a sentimental option like their birthstone, or go a colorful piece in their favorite shade, like a dark garnet for a moodier gal or a aquamarine stone for someone with a sunnier disposition. “I would recommend finding a piece or pieces that complement items that they already have and love, or would be sentimental,” Reed tells us. “I truly think it's the thought that counts, even with something like jewelry!”

While an heirloom jewelry piece is something they can wear forever, there are a few trends experts predict will be big for the year ahead. According to Reed, we’ll soon be seeing a lot more mixed metals and chunky silvers. “I love the mixed metals because they feel fun, fresh and a little playful,” she says.

At Marrow Fine, Sassone has seen more classic pieces, like tennis bracelets and heart-shaped stones, requested more often in the past year and a half. That said, she’s also seeing customers mix and match those pieces, layering dainty chains alongside bolder, chunkier rings. “I think this is interesting,” she says. “It's kind of that juxtaposition with the dainty chains layered up top and bold, chunky looks on the hands.”

This depends on the kind of metal your jewelry has, but most jewelry can be cleaned with dish soap and warm water without damaging it. Just mix the dish soap in a bowl of water and scrub lightly with a bristled toothbrush. Here are some more specifics:

• Gold Plated: Because gold-plated and gold vermeil jewelry can fade with scrubbing, it’s a good idea to avoid scrubbing them aggressively. Instead, use a nonabrasive cellulose sponge or just soak the jewelry for a clean, as you don’t want to damage the metal underneath.
• Silver: Silver (or brass!) that has been tarnished beyond the point of scrubbing can be revived with a little silver polish. Use polishing cloths to gently buff away tarnish and make them look as good as new.