Jewellery tops list of Valentine’s gifts

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Jewellery has always been a popular gift for Valentine’s Day, which makes this weekend a selling session for top retailers.

Interestingly, some sellers experienced their highest sales during the lockdown, as many Kenyans had ample time to shop for jewellery in less-crowded malls.

As people gear up to make their loved ones and friends feel special, the jewellery sellers hope sales will be as high as December.

But how do you buy jewellery for your loved one?

Lorraine Odipo, the manager of Erita Jewels at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall, a jewellery shop that sells natural diamonds and coloured stones such as ruby, sapphire, tsavorite, aquamarine, citrine, rose quartz, moonstone and kunzite, says custom-made is a unique gift with a lasting effect.

“The gemstones can be mounted on silver or gold to make pendants, interlocking wedding bands, fancy rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets,” she says.

The gemstone you pick should signify what you intend it to. Some gemstones signify love, wealth and protection, hence ideal for this season.


Ms Odipo recommends a rose quartz necklace or bracelets. The price depends on whether the gemstones are mounted on silver metal or gold of 18 karat.

“The rose quartz stone is known to restore trust and harmony in relationships while encouraging unconditional love. You can consider the birth month stone as well,” she says.

Consumption of jewellery products has been performing well in the last years due to increasing disposable income and innovative designs.

“Kenyans have embraced gifting. People do buy and go all out for their loved ones. Most of our clients are Kenyans and have been the highest spenders on the items,” Ms Odipo says.

If your loved one is born in February, buy her an Amethyst that comes in two colours- green and purple. The natural stone is mined in Kitui County, with the purple Amethyst being the birthstone for people born in February.

“A natural amethyst is believed to release stress, strain, irritability, mood swings, anger, fear, and anxiety. Many clients love it because it can fit in different age brackets. The deep purple is eye-catching,” Ms Odipo says.

Married buyers can pick the gold or silver Tanzanite jewellery, which is a stone with purplish or bluish colour believed to have healing properties, ranging from Sh10,000.

One can also buy a simple plain gold bracelet for a friend, and silver freshwater pearl stud earrings or hanging ones can do for their grandmother.

Freshwater pearls are less costly compared to sea pearls because they are easy to extract.


“Pearls are formed within the shell of a pearl oyster and are the ultimate symbol of wisdom which at most times comes with age. They also symbolise purity, integrity as well as loyalty. They are mostly gotten from Asia,” Ms Odipo says.

If you want to buy something for your mother or sister, earrings would be appropriate because you do not need to know the size and specification.

For those looking for entire luxury and style, get a gold emerald diamond set at Sh817,500, Ruby diamond gold set Sh174,400, or men's diamond gold ring Sh392,400.

At Little Jewellers, a shop in Nairobi, which deals with pure sterling silver 925 and cubic zirconia, buyers, had started shopping for Valentine’s gifts.

The business owner, Elizabeth Njuguna says men are already buying their wives and girlfriends for the season.


“Men are the top buyers of the jewellery but women also buy themselves commitment or promise rings vowing to stop something and sometimes have the message engraved on the rings. They also like beauty rings that mimic nature like waves, leaf and puzzle, infinity rings, toe rings, and anklets for beach or vacations. Young people love the mid-rings too for fashion,” Mrs Njuguna says.

The majority of Kenyans have a high preference for yellow gold, colour associated with wealth, influence, and success, unlike rose gold, while only a few prefer white gold which has a resemblance to silver.

As a result, Ms Odipo’s store has almost sold out yellow gold bracelets following huge spending on gifts in December.

“December was one of the months we sold the most. People learned to appreciate each other because of the long time we stayed apart. Most buyers were men. Apart from necklaces, people bought many engagement and wedding rings,” she says.
 
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