Celebrating Your Daughter's First "Jewelry Occasion"

    WESTBURY, NY, April 03, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As one of Long Island's most trusted sources for jewelry, Esther Fortunoff and her team have helped thousands of anxious customers through some of their most important purchases. With the warmer weather finally here, her Fortunoff Fine Jewelry boutique is preparing to welcome a new group of parents proudly planning their daughters' first "jewelry occasion".

"There's nothing like helping parents or grandparents to give a loved one that first meaningful piece of jewelry." Says Ms. Fortunoff, the iconic retailer who opened the Westbury store last year. "Spring is the season of First Communions, Confirmations, weddings and other life-changing celebrations, so a lot of our customers are looking for that first special item."

Ms. Fortunoff, who also operates fortunoffjewelry.com, noted, "It's not just the traditional spring events. It's also a wonderful time of year for a Quinceanera or Sweet Sixteen celebration. A well-chosen piece of jewelry can be a gift of love and a great way to signify a rite of passage."

"Many parents are excited and a little bit nervous because they know their daughters will remember the moment and cherish that gift the rest of their lives," according to Ms. Fortunoff. "That's why I tell them it's important not to go too trendy. You want to choose something that is classic and will stand the test of time."

"This is one purchase they really want to get right," she adds.

With that in mind, Ms. Fortunoff offered these suggestions to help make Spring sparkle for the daughters in our lives:

- As Long Island's Latino community has flourished, I've learned that jewelry is an integral part of a Quinceanera celebration. This is an ideal time to give your daughter something special she can wear at her party. There is nothing like the right piece of jewelry to make a girl feel like a young woman. A gift of classic beauty like a pearl necklace or a diamond pendant will perfectly symbolize her coming of age and can be worn into adulthood.

- Religious celebrations represent more than sentiment and can be made more special with a religious keepsake. Many parents like to give a traditional pendant with the appropriate symbol including a cross or Star of David. But friends and family can also think about a locket or earrings.

- First Communions may be accompanied by a little girl's very first gift of jewelry. These can include religious and non-religious items.

- If your daughter is a Spring bride, a gift from mom and dad can be as meaningful as those exchanged by the couple. There are no hard and fast rules of what to buy or how much to spend. Diamond or pearl earrings are usually a good choice. However, anytime jewelry is bought to commemorate a wedding, I think it's particularly special if those pieces can be worn on the wedding day.

- Regardless of the occasion, diamonds are always appropriate. Birthstone earrings and pendants are also safe choices for any special event.

- A professional salesperson should be able to guide you toward a purchase that fits the occasion, the recipient and your personal budget. Be sure to work with a reputable jeweler.

"Many parents don't realize how emotional a daughter's jewelry experience can be," says Ms. Fortunoff. "But the right gift will provide a beautiful bond for the rest of their lives. That's why Spring is such an exciting season in the jewelry business. We get to be a small part of that big experience."

ABOUT FORTUNOFF FINE JEWELRY
Founded in 1922 by Max and Clara Fortunoff in Brooklyn, New York, Fortunoff developed a widely recognized and trusted brand noted for quality, selection, service and value. Jewelry quickly became a company specialty as Helene Fortunoff oversaw a team of women buyers that became a trusted source for generations of shoppers. Her daughter, Esther, carried on the tradition.

Back in the hands of the founding family, Fortunoff Fine Jewelry is re-emerging as a stand-alone specialty retail concept. After the launch of the new e-commerce site in 2010 the company opened a new boutique on the site of the former Fortunoff flagship store in Westbury, NY.

Chief merchant Esther Fortunoff has served on the Board of Directors of Jewelers of America (JA), the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and the American Gemstone Trade Association laboratory. Among many industry awards, she counts the Retailer Hall of Fame Award from National Jeweler magazine and Retailer of the Year Award from the Women's Jewelry Association. Her charitable and civic work has included board positions at The Safe Center LI, The Long Island chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Long Island Association, and the Manhattan-based Mabou Mines theater company.

For more information about Fortunoff, visit www.fortunoffjewelry.com

# # #