When it comes to finding thoughtful 18th birthday gifts, there’s nothing better than gifting a timeless jewellery keepsake. Selecting a high quality piece will mean it will mark their milestone birthday, be worn and enjoyed for many years to come, and even passed down to future generations.
It’s important to consider the recipient’s style, personality and taste when choosing jewellery for them, so that your gift can fit seamlessly into their jewellery collection, or help them to build out their staple pieces.
From birthstones to bespoke pieces, here is our guide to help you choose the right jewellery keepsake for the soon-to-be 18 year old in your life.
Why is jewellery a popular choice for 18th birthday gifting?
When someone turns 18, it represents an important transitional point in their lives where they move from childhood and embark on their adult lives. For this reason, many like to mark the occasion by gifting an extra special piece of jewellery.
Gifting a timeless piece of jewellery is the perfect way to commemorate and celebrate milestone birthdays, as they can be worn for many years, or even become an heirloom of the future by being passed down through generations to come.
18th Birthday Gift Ideas for Girls
Finding the perfect piece of jewellery for girls turning 18 can be hard. It’s important to take into account their style while balancing an element of timelessness so that the piece can be worn throughout their lives, and evolve with them.
Top Tip: Be sure to consider their metal preference (white, yellow or rose gold) when purchasing a keepsake to ensure they’ll make the most of their gift.
Bangles and Bracelets
Bangles or bracelets are a beautifully jewellery piece that everyone should have in their jewellery collection. Giving a bangle or bracelet as a gift for an 18th birthday can help your friend or family member start building their own special jewellery collection with timeless pieces that can be worn to every occasion.
Due to their subtle nature, bracelets and bangles can be worn day-to-day with casual outfits as well as dressed up and layered to create a statement look, making them a versatile jewellery option that can grow with the wearer, through life changes or style evolutions.
This 9ct white gold Russian bracelet design is made up of three intertwined bangles. They signify the past, present and future, making it a perfect gift for someone embarking on their journey into adulthood!
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BanglesFrom £1350 |
Birthstone Jewellery
For a personal touch, choosing a piece of jewellery that incorporates their birthstone can help to add an extra special meaning to their birthday jewellery piece. Chances are, they might already have items that include their birthstone, so you can add to their collection with a beautiful new piece that will compliment, and help to grow, their collection.
Picking a gemstone ring or pendant that features their birthstone can help to signify their milestone birthday with a subtle, personalised element.
Find their birthstone:
- January: Garnet
- February: Amethyst
- March: Aquamarine
- April: Diamond
- May: Emerald
- June: Pearl or Alexandrite
- July: Ruby
- August: Peridot
- September: Sapphire
- October: Opal or Tourmaline
- November: Topaz
- December: Tanzanite or Turquoise
Lockets
Lockets are designed to keep memories safe, so they are a great choice of gift to mark an important milestone like an 18th birthday. Lockets are designed to keep small photographs, locks of hair or even small keepsakes like a ribbon or piece of fabric that hold a sacred memory for their wearer.
You can either leave the locket empty, allowing the recipient to add in their chosen photograph or tiny object, or opt to add in a photograph from a special memory you share together or an important moment from their life so far.
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LocketsBuy this locket £650 |
18th Birthday Gift Ideas for Boys
When it comes to picking a jewellery piece for boys, looking for heirloom pieces that can be worn for future significant events and moments in their lives is a great place to start.
Cufflinks
A classic jewellery piece that should feature in any man’s collection is a solid pair of cufflinks. Presenting a pair of cufflinks as an 18th birthday gift is a sentimental way to help your cherished relative or friend to begin their adult life with style and sophistication.
Cufflinks that could be worn at many future important events and moments in the wearer’s lives. From job interviews, to their wedding day, gifting a special pair of cufflinks is a great keepsake that can remind the recipient of their milestone birthday and be present at milestone moments in the future!
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CufflinksFrom just £100 |
Signet Ring
Signet rings symbolise family history, personal identity, and authority. They would traditionally feature a family’s crest, or the wearer’s initials, however signet rings can be worn without this detail, instead having a sleek, sophisticated and modern look.
Gifting a plain signet ring also allows the wearer to personalise it later in, by getting their initials engraved later down the line if they want to.
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Signet RingsFrom just £595 |
Pocket Watch
With many people adopting a Smart Watch for their daily time telling and step tracking needs, a vintage pocket watch can help you to embrace the traditional gifting of a keepsake timepiece in a special and sentimental way.
While it may not be worn every day, it can be used as an ornament in their home, and taken to special occasions and events throughout their lives. Pocket watches embody elegance and style, making them a fantastic 18th birthday gift.
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Vintage Pocket WatchesFrom just £1750 |
Bespoke 18th Birthday Gifts
Struggling to find a piece of jewellery that fits their unique style or personality? Why not work with our talented jewellery design team and award-winning jeweller to create a bespoke, one-of-a-kind jewellery heirloom for them!
Find out more: Bespoke Jewellery Design Service
Final Thoughts
By gifting a piece of jewellery, you can help your loved one to celebrate and remember their important milestone birthday, and mark the occasion in a really special way.
Whether you’re looking for birthstone jewellery or vintage timepieces, we can help you find the perfect, thoughtful gift for special birthdays and beyond.
