The gift of a piece of jewelry has long been regarded as a valuable and welcome present for many, many reasons - it is long lasting, it retains and even increase in value if it is of high quality to begin with and it can be handed down from one generation to another without complicated formalities. It is the appropriate gift on so many occasions and gifts for both women and men can readily be found. So lets take a look at what you need to know when choosing this popular gift:

1. There are so many celebrations that can be made even more special with the gift of jewelry. Perhaps the most obvious one is a marriage proposal and the presentation of the engagement ring, closely followed by the exchange of rings during the wedding ceremony. A personalized heart necklace or bracelet make an ideal gift for a new mom and her baby daughter and of course earrings and brooches make great Mother's Day gifts. And what better way to say "well done" to your daughter or son than with a watch or pendant on their graduation.

2. Where To Buy: Traditional outlets are the jewelry retailers that are well-established in Malls or in the Main Street of every city. Reputable jewelers provide a broad choice of products along with information that enables the buyer to judge quality and suitability.

With the development of the Internet, jewelry buying is no longer confined to Mall and Main Street stores. The increase in the number of jewelry outlets online means that the buyer can compare the prices and quality of a number of stores without having to physically visit them. And quite often online retailers can offer lower prices because they do not have the high running costs of traditional stores.

So no matter what you are buying - a diamond ring, gold earrings, a silver bracelet or a cocktail watch to complement a designer dress - you will be able to find the perfect gift for that special someone by comparing and contrasting prices and products without trailing from store to store.

3. Choosing jewelry for women can be a difficult time for a man unless she has specifically hinted at a particular piece she would like. Women tend to change their jewelry to match, accessorize or highlight a particular outfit - a piece of fashion jewelry to emphasize the color of a new casual outfit or diamond earrings and a necklace to complete that expensive evening ensemble. Other items in her wardrobe may be better augmented with pearls, emeralds, brooches, gold bracelets and watches.

Thinking about the style and color of clothes his loved one favors as well as discovering whether she has any likes or dislikes when it come to different stones (diamond, ruby, emerald, pearl) or gold or silver jewelry will help the male buyer.

4. Ladies can have as much difficulty choosing the right piece of jewelry for the man in their life. Cuff links are a great present but if he never wears a formal shirt then it's not a good idea. And for some men the thought of wearing anything other than a wristwatch would make them very uncomfortable. On the other hand some guys are happy to wear bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

In some respects, therefore, the message when buying for a man is the same as when buying for a woman " know his tastes and preferences, check out what he wears and how open to new ideas he is, and make your decisions accordingly.

5. Jewelry For Teens: Teens are a fascinating challenge when it comes to buying jewelry as a gift for them. On the one hand, they frequently profess to be more open-minded about every aspect of their life and to have individuality as a high priority in their lives. At the same time, fashion, teenage insecurities and the herd mentality channels their choices into well-defined paths.

Observing their dress style and accessories may give you an idea about the latest teen fashion and help in your choice. It could prove to be an embarrassing mistake if you picked a piece of silver jewelry that they considered to be outdated and not suitable for "with it" teens. It is also worth considering when and where the recipient could wear your gift without risk or reprimand - a gold necklace or expensive watch may not be appropriate for school or some public places.

Whether the gift is for a friend, family member or the love of your life it is worth giving it some careful thought before heading off to the Mall or going online to buy that special gift. Jewelry makes a wonderful present for any occasion so it is little wonder that it is so popular.