*Fine jewelers Katherine Jetter (left) and Anna P. Jay (left) on Nantucket.*

Gift shopping is daunting enough, never mind gift shopping for something as personal and committal as jewels. No matter how well you know your lucky gift recipient or the market, fine jewelry tends to be trickier to navigate than, say, ready-to-wear or accessories—and when you’re making such an investment, you want to make sure you’re making the right one. Thankfully, Nantucket’s finest fine jewelers Katherine Jetter of The Vault Nantucket and Anna P. Jay have graciously extended their expert tips and tricks for finding just the right jewels for that special someone, exclusively for Little ACK Book.

“We all know that jewelry is a very personal thing, but you can be successful if you stay truly mindful of the recipient,” says Jetter. “The first thing I suggest is that you consider how she will wear the jewelry—is she looking for an everyday piece to add to her wrist stack or ear party? Or is this more of a statement item? Does she love color, or is she more of a diamonds-girl? And budget is always a consideration, but the good news is there is something at every price point at The Vault.”

Jay suggests taking it a step further and building a relationship with the jeweler beforehand. “Visit their website. Follow their Instagram. Keep an eye out for the things your receiver is ‘liking’ or drawn to. I keep a wishlist for my clients (as well as ring sizes!) so that I can help facilitate surprises when the time comes.”

But even more, Jay is a proponent of including your recipient in the conversation instead of leaving it to chance. “While this does take some of the luster out of the surprise, jewelry is not a cup of coffee and you can’t just throw it away and start over if you don’t get it right. Even something like getting the finger size correct in the first round can save time and money.”

When it comes to what to avoid when shopping jewels for gifts, Jetter cautions: “The biggest mistake people make is buying what they like instead of what the person who’s going to receive it is going to like. It’s a gift, right? It’s not about you! Get the person what they will love!”

And to avoid any potential sizing mishaps, especially if you go the surprise route, Jay adds: “If you want to gift a ring, make sure you purchase one that is able to be sized (not eternity style), or visit your jeweler and have them size your partner and keep the sizes on file.” But perhaps most importantly, “Start early! Most fine jewelry takes time to create (as so much can be customized!).”

And if you’re still unsure, “Go with the classics. You can’t go wrong with diamond studs, tennis bracelets, diamond necklaces…,” says Jay.