While holiday jewelry purchases are predominantly for women, many men would love to be on the receiving end of the jewelry-giving. Today, GIA’s Holiday Buying Guide series continues with tips for buying jewelry for men.

Jewelry for Every Man

For some, the thought of men’s jewelry conjures up images of rappers, rock stars or professional athletes—large, conspicuous diamond studs or multiple chains that just don’t have a place in the typical man’s workplace. But the vast majority of jewelry options for men are for the professional: intended to be subtle, but like all jewelry, a symbol of personal style.

If you’re shopping for a special guy this holiday, here are  some pointers.

1. Start his jewelry wardrobe with the basics. These include a classic watch, cuff links, ring, or simple chain (for either the neck or wrist).
2. If he has the basics covered, then consider upgrading or updating one of his favorites. If he wears a quartz watch every day, consider an automatic (self-winding) watch. If he has simple cuff links, try something with gems or a more distinctive design.
3. Know his personal style, and how daring he might be. For many men, an earring is too far out of their comfort zone, but it might be the perfect gift for your life-of-the-party guy! Be sure to discuss his style and preferences with your jeweler to receive helpful recommendations.

Left: Black onyz cuff links with diamond cross in platinum. Middle: Platinum and leather men’s timepiece. Right: Men’s platinum ring featuring black cobalt plates and diamonds. Courtesy of Platinum Guide International.

Popular Men’s Jewelry Styles

Gold signet ring. Courtney Doug Fiske.

Before starting your holiday shopping, you should also know what’s currently leading jewelry trends for men. Popular styles right now include signet rings, dog tags, and statement timepieces. A common theme with all of these is the ability to personalize. Consider a signet ring with his initial or an emblem representing his family heritage. Or engrave a special message onto the back of a timepiece or dog tag. A jewelry gift that has personal meaning will be treasured for a lifetime.

Sterling silver pinky ring.

Not surprisingly, many men are drawn to the mixing of materials that is popular in jewelry design today. Jewelry designers are playing with non-traditional materials like leather, as well as incorporating different metals like titanium and stainless steel to create a distinctly masculine look. Diamonds of all colors are also rising in popularity. Black, gray or brown diamonds can provide some sparkle in colorful alternatives to the classic white diamond. Of course, if you’re buying a diamond, it’s important to understand the 4Cs and to request a Diamond Grading Report from your jeweler.

Engagement Rings are not Just for Women Anymore

Courtesy Platinum Guild International.

Finally, if you’re one of the many couples in love that will be engaged this holiday season, a man-gagement ring might be the perfect gift. According to Engagement 101, 71% of men would be open to wearing an engagement ring for guys. A man-gagement ring might be the perfect opportunity to start his fine jewelry wardrobe that you can add to for years to come.

Some fail-safe last words–buy something meaningful and timeless. A gift from the heart represents something special between the two of you, and will always hit the mark.

Are you shopping for a special guy this season? Or, has your guy dropped any hints?

Main image of watch, courtesy of Craig Selimotic Danforth

The post Holiday Buying Guide – Part 6: Beyond Cuff Links – More Men Want Fine Jewelry this Holiday appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

Sports cars and jewelry may not seem to have much in common, but take a closer look and you’ll see that they frequently share common design elements: sleek lines, polished metal, bold color palettes and more. These design choices project status, power, and affluence; qualities likely to appeal to men.

Ever seen a pair of cufflinks masquerading as hubcaps? These high-polished metal pieces sure look like them. And the matte black and fire-engine red color scheme is likely to appeal to men who love sports cars. The same goes for the geometric symmetry of the circle-within-a-circle-within-a-circle design.

Cufflinks image courtesy of Craig Selimotic Danforth.

This ID bracelet looks like a motorcycle chain in many ways. It is made of two-toned metal, has a continuous locking pattern, and flathead screws that are integral to the design. These elements make for a bold, masculine statement that any motorcyclist would feel comfortable wearing while riding.

Many would say the lines of this channel set diamond ring resembles the grille of a car. And its angular shape mimics a hood ornament. It’s easy to imagine these design similarities winning over car enthusiasts.

Channel set ring image courtesy of Gem East Corporation.

Matte black and fire-engine red are popular color choices for fast machines. The designers of this watch clearly paid homage to these speedsters with the same bold palette. In another nod to automotive design, the watch’s spokes and dials are designed like a dashboard and the stitching in the band is similar to the stitching you’d see in a vintage car seat.

Most recently, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang, 49 companies used the car’s logo on watches, cologne, commemorative Mustang leather jackets, nail polish, video games, die-cast models, apparel, “and probably a million other products,” according to an April 2013 article in Marketing Daily.

Design crossovers between the automotive and jewelry industries is nothing new, and now you too can see how some of men’s favorite toys have impacted the personal style of men’s fashion and jewelry design.

The post Designs In The Fast Lane: Celebrating Father’s Day with Men’s Jewelry & Sports Machines appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

Jewelry design experts at the world renowned GIA say men’s jewelry is not just a passing fad. In fact, designers and retailers are devoting more time, attention, and store space to men’s jewelry than ever before.

“Men today are demonstrating increasing fashion sophistication among themselves. They are undoubtedly more comfortable wearing jewelry – non-wedding rings, necklaces, and bracelets, for instance – than their fathers were,” said jewelry design instructors for GIA, where students from all over the world learn to design and manufacture jewelry.

According to historians in GIA’s library, the emergence of men’s jewelry is not a recent phenomenon. Early monarchs and noblemen wore extravagantly bejeweled items—clothes lavished with diamonds, pearls, and gold buttons; fashionable pearl stickpins; ornamental timepieces; ornate diamond necklaces; and swords set with decorative gemstones.

Men today are showing the same desire to want to show their identity to the world, and they’re at ease and confident enough to complement a watch with a bracelet, necklace, or ring. And, now more varied forms of jewelry have become socially acceptable for them, said GIA. But what kind of jewelry do modern men want? What catches their eye? What do they think catches the ladies’ eyes?

GIA design experts say old and new styles are merging. Recognizably masculine pieces are being paired with a fresh, feminine twist, and designers are taking advantage of the growing trend of genderless fashions. Soft and lustrous Tahitian pearls – a tradition in women’s pieces – are being incorporated with leather for a sensuous male touch. White gold and rubber is an emerging combination seen in bracelets and necklaces for men.

Cufflinks are more popular than ever. Classic designs in gold, silver or platinum are always a big hit for the conservative businessman. Integrating diamonds, black onyx, malachite, garnets, rubies or sapphires represents a novel departure for the sophisticated man who likes to match accessories with his attire.

And, men don’t have to be professional athletes or rock stars to wear earrings these days. Handcrafted designer pieces in silver or platinum can create an elegant blend of contemporary masculinity. A diamond stud is perfect for a night out on the town.

The attractiveness of stainless steel, most prominently seen in the watch segment, has found its way into fine jewelry for men. It has the same high-polish appearance of platinum – and the durability – but is much more affordable. Stainless steel and other metals, such as silver and titanium, are gaining popularity in rings. Chain necklaces are designed for an industrial, manly look. Steel pendants can also be combined with a leather cord for a nouveau bracelet or necklace. Some designers are even setting diamonds into stainless steel pieces.

Any diamond purchased should come with a GIA grading report, which gives details of the quality of the diamond based on the Diamond 4Cs—cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

The post A New Outlook on Men’s Jewelry appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.