Frost Yourself, Ladies: Jewellery Gift Guide For Your Number One—You!

Image by Photo by Anna Shvets, background by Zoë Pawlak

This guide to buying and yourself jewellery is part of our S hop The Stree t series. Our editors curate collections of new and noteworthy products (and let you know why you should add to cart). Know, though, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Tap for more info.

Listen, I’m not someone to turn away jewellery as a gift. I’m just saying the best person to give it to you is you. You have better taste than anyone else, you know what you like and you can appreciate how much you deserve a piece of something that glitters and shines.

Need more convincing? Just scroll through my jewellery-to-gift-yourself picks. I’ve been writing about jewellery for the better of two decades, and I can’t help but inspect each one for a few key features:

Looks expensive – even if it’s not,
Doesn’t look basic but not too trendy either,
Will make even the simplest of minimalist fits look perfectly styled,

And worthy of taking out of the jewellery box on a ho-hum day to a special evening.

I’ve curated a large pile of jewels and costume pieces into three jewellery wardrobes.

“For fashion’s sake” treats

“Just what I wanted” gifts
And “I deserve this” splurges

Your reason for buying jewellery for yourself is as personal as your skivvies, and I’m not here to judge. If you want to celebrate the holidays, your birthday, a promotion, finishing a continuing-ed course with something that’s $20 or $10,000, that’s up to you. I just want you to enjoy looking at a few pretty things today. Here are a selection of jewellery that is either made in Canada or available for purchase in Canada – or send to Canada.

(But do let me know if you treated yourself to a little something something you see here.)

Sustainable and eco-friendly gifts for every friend and family member on your list.

Buy yourself jewellery: “For fashion’s sake” treats

Jewellery for no other occasion than, yes, I should buy this.

You don’t get the impact from this photo. At the centre is the pin, so the top petal covers the ear, and the bottom one drapes the neck. These gold-plated brass earrings aren’t meant for wallflowers. Sézane Nelly Earrings, $170 at sezan.com.
This pretty little ring is wrapped around my finger. The coil shape is lux and decadent but with a hint of a timeless aesthetic. Made of 18-karat gold-plated bronze, it has the allure and shine of gold without the hefty price tag. Banana Republic Ravena Coil Ring, $90 at bananrepublic.ca.
I imagine wearing these with a chunky cable knit sweater, cashmere joggers and reading socks, while sipping on hot chocolate. These steel link one-and-a-half inch hoops are the comfort food of jewellery. Club Monaco Link Hoop Earrings, $50 at clubmonaco.ca.

For the nights you just want to feel like a disco ball, wear these. But it’s the shoulder hitting length that makes these extra glam. RW&Co Earrings With Rhinestone Pendants, $30 at rw-co.com.
I’ve worn the same choker for almost 20 years, and it never fails me. But if I ever broke or lost it, I would replace it with this. Made of zinc, iron and brass, it has a lobster clasp closure. Zara Metal Choker Necklace, $46 at zara.com.
The recycled sterling is 99.9 per cent purity, but it is 100 per cent style. COS The Sphere Necklace, US$225, at cos.com.

Wearing these, I imagine I’m a fashion magazine editor from the ’80s, booking models and lunching with designers. Today, though, these zinc, steel and CCB plastic earrings are just as fun. Boohoo Gold Ball Drop Statement Earrings, $22 at ca.boohoo.com.
Simple. Elegant. And such a treat for yourself. (It should be self-care, really!) Imagine this daily routine: wake up, journal, meditate, slip on 4-millimetre 10K gold ball studs, and bust the day. Michael Hill Ball Stud Earrings, $59 at michaelhill.ca.

How to master the curated ear stack.

Buy yourself jewellery: “Just what I wanted” gifts

Why wait for someone to buy you what you really want for yourself.

It’s giving Chanel Crush, but with more personality. While sold separately, I can’t imagine not wearing these handcrafted rings together. Mejuri Pyra Chunky Ring, $128, and Charlotte Slim Ring, $78 at mjeuri.com.
Three-inch statement earrings are made of gold and rhodium-plated brass and cubic zirconia, but the Vancouver jewellery doesn’t cheap out on glitz and shine. Lover’s Tempo Solaris Star Drop Earrings Gold, $125, at loverstempo.com.
How dreamy is this ethically sourced gold ring? Made with a faceted moonstone centre stone and blinged out with teeny diamonds. If you’re into crystals, this gem is for inner growth, strength and protection. Not into them? Enjoy the pretty. Suetables 14K Gold Yasi Moonstone Ring, $279, at suetables.com.

While cuffs may look trendy, they really are a classic. And when you string a sterling ear cuff with freshwater pearls are baroque shaped pearls, even a modern-day Audrey would pair with a turtleneck, cigarette pants and loafers. Can you imagine? SarahBijoux Ear Cuff with Chain, $70 at sarabijoux.ca.
No simple string of pearls, please. The rhodium and clear recycled glass beads don’t hide but show off ion-plated chain. Jenny Bird Lyra Necklace,$250 at jenny-bird.ca.
This watch could be worn by the Olsen Twins with its 35-millimetre size and yellow gold PVD coating, but the digital face and Swiss Quartz movement are the real conversation starters. Tissot PRX Digital watch, $595 at tissotwatches.com.

This earring is off the four 14K waterfall chain. It has the look of a threader and a crawler earring, but it is so unique. Junipurr Imogen Threadless Pin, $270 at theblumz.com.
The key to “investment” jewellery is buying items that are not only wearable in the future but retain their look and value. And that is why I love a classic five-millimetre pearl stud earrings with a 18K gold setting. Mikimoto White Akoya A Pearl Studs, $630 at knar.com.
A friend once had a cluster diamond ring made into a necklace with the teeny diamonds hanging like delicate tinsel around the neck. It was so beautiful that I’ve not stopped thinking about it, and this 14K gold vermeil necklace reminds me of just that. The 13 stones are cubic zirconia and the length is 16 or 18 inches. Melanie Auld Soiree Necklace, $135 at melanieauld.com.

Less is more, but more choice is always more. This amazing set of 14K gold vermeil and cubic zirconia and pearl earrings and jackets (16 pieces) allow you to not only build an earring wardrobe but also to mix and match to create your own looks. Jewels and Aces The Statement Earring Capsule Set, $502 at jewelsandaces.com.
Whenever I’m on my Peloton, I’m always in awe of how the instructors’ adorn themselves in gold a workout. This may not help me my cadence, but I love the everyday look of this high-shine rhodium-plated, hand-cast vintage necklace. It’s made in Toronto and is 16 inches long. Biko Alton Chain, $150 at ilovebiko.com.
Some may wear their heart on their sleeve, but I’d prefer this acrylic and metal beauty on my lapel. This pin celebrates a sixth birthday collab with Mad Aunty, a brand by visual artist Joi T. Arcand in Saskatchewan and Cree and Métis artist Michelle Sound from Alberta. Michelle Sound x Mad Aunty Lapel Pin, $15 at mad-aunty.com.

When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see? These 11-centimetre mirrored earrings are made of lightweight acrylic (no earring headaches!) and sterling silver hooks. They’re also made in Canada by Nlaka'pamux Nation jewellery designer Warrent Steven Scott. Warren Scott, Mixed Ovoids Mirror Earrings, $70 at warrenstevenscott.com.
How regal is this? My eye went straight to the baguette-cut rockrose gemstone. It wasn’t until I read “castle” in the ring’s name that I understood the 22K prongs as the crenellations of a castle. This piece is a nod to the designer’s Scottish heritage. Dean Davidson Castle Ring, $245 at deandavidson.ca.
Toronto designer Olga Barsky is as fun as her body jewellery is. This adjustable harness – made of ethically sourced leather, tulle, brass and crystals – can be worn on its own under a blazer for the daring, or overtop of a crisp white blouse for those who like their fits to be anything but basic. Uncuffed Leather & Tulle Flower Harness, $375 at uncuffedleather.com.

Whenever I see one of Rebekah Price’s pieces, I always imagine Anna Wintour wearing it – her signature is large gems with lots of colour. This piece is fun though, with its clin d'oeil lariat look, 11 inches of crystals and gold-dipped brass. Rebekah Price Jordyn Necklace, $275 at rebekahprice.ca.
Paris is always a good idea. And this gold-tone sterling silver bangle is a great idea. It’s engraved with the Maison Margiela Paris and is a cinch to slip on with it’s open cuff design. Maison Margiela Gold Engraved Cuff Bracelet, $645 at ssense.com.

Cute gift sets that make the best holiday presents.

Buy yourself jewellery: “I deserve this” splurges

If you’re wanting to save up for something special, these jewellery pieces are all goals.

I mean, if you’re going to go for the Longines DolceVita timepiece, go for the 13mm with the diamond case. Longines DolceVita bracelet watch, $3,500 at longines.com.
As a Virgo, I love the options for wear this two-sided pendant. There are other signs, too. Birks Zodiac 18K Pendant, $ 1,950, at maisonbirks.com.
Alan Anderson’s Toronto studio is like stepping into a Avenue George V atelier. The only way jewellery could compete for the eye in this showroom is with loads of Swarovski, like with this gold-plated cuff. Alan Anderson Rose Crystal Open Bangle Bracelet, $1,600 at alananderson.design.

Love the dangle but not the clanking as you type? You will love how these moving 0.11 carat diamonds always catch the light. Messika Move Noa 18K Gold Bangle With Diamonds, $9,160 at holtrenfrew.com.
This French joaillerie brand puts the focus on jewellery closures, like the cuff clasps on this bracelet, adorned with 0.194 carat round brilliant diamonds. Dinh Van Menottes Yellow Gold R12 Flex Diamond Bracelet, $5,810 at knar.com.
Forget breakfast, I want this clip-on ear cuff from Tiffanys. Made of 18K rose gold and round brilliant diamonds (0.30 carat), the bevelled Ts look structural than decorative. Tiffany T1 Ear Cuff in Rose Gold with Diamonds, $11,300 at tiffany.ca.

Gah! It’s not often that seeps from my mind and out of my mouth. But that was my reaction of seeing three baguette diamonds (⅙ carat) arranged on a slender 14K band. It really is “the ring” we would all propose to ourselves with, isn’t it? Welleree Edith Diamond Ring, $1,068 at welleree.com.
Jewellery and fashion should always be bedfellows, but here’s an example of when they marry. Designed and handmade in Toronto, this double stack features 14K yellow gold bands, and stones in ametrine, citrine, pearl and diamonds. Erin Tracey Ombré Stack, $1,450 at erintracy.ca.
For when you want one-of-a-kind but none of the work of custom, this Canadian handmade beauty walks into the room. But it’s the quality that you will also appreciate, as it’s made of 14k recycled yellow gold, montana 0.88 carat blush pink round sapphires and an ethically sourced 0.51carat pear-cut diamond. Bluboho Embrace Ring, $12,498 at bluoho.com.

You know that I’m a virgo, so you might know that a blue sapphire is my birthstone. I’ve seen some basic gemstone rings before, and this is anything but. It’s a modern take on the solitaire with a floating rose-cut stone prong-set in 14K yellow gold. Love that it’s handmade in Vancouver and ethically sourced and that you can choose your own gem. Erica Leal Jewellery Lindy Ring, $1,575 at ericalealjewellery.com.

Give yourself the gift of art

You may have noticed that the backgrounds on the jewellery gift photos above have a similar feel and look. That’s because they are pieces of a bigger picture – no, not about buying yourself jewellery. You’ve already got that covered. Each background was pulled from a larger oeuvre d’art: the Fellowship, by Vancouver artist Zoë Pawlak.

The travel essentials our editors swear by.

Vessels & Muses Oracle Deck, $64 at zoepawlak.com.

Want to sample a bunch of Pawlak’s work? Consider treating yourself to her art deck. Shuffle and draw out of the 40 cards for astrological and journaling cues.