Graduation season turns out hundreds of thousands of freshly minted scholars ready to take on the world. Acknowledging their accomplishments is a massive effort in which the jewelry industry takes part.

Jewelry manufacturers have myriad personalized numbers to appeal to graduation gift givers. Class rings are, of course, among the offerings, as are companion pieces like bracelets, earrings, and pendant necklaces.

Heavy Stone Rings

Shawn Clark of Heavy Stone Rings points grad gift seekers in the direction of her You & Me kit, featuring engravable pendants and wide bands that can boast names, dates, coordinates, and fingerprint impressions.

“It’s a modern aesthetic with cool Roman numerals,” says the co-owner and director of sales. “With the ability to choose different metals, you can make pieces that are truly personal.”

True class rings have a bulkier look, and it’s this traditional vibe that KGS Jewels makes available to its customers.

“We make class rings for some of our clients, and they look like Superbowl rings,” observes Richard Bachu, vice president of sales and director of e-commerce.

The Royal Chain Group has wide availability of other personalized styles. Think mini initial necklaces in 14k gold with a diamond illusion.

“The pieces have a diamond-cut texture designed to imitate the sparkle of real diamond jewelry,” says Phillip Gabriel Maroof, creative director and designer.

Also popular is a gold charms and chain program.

               Royal Chain

“Customers can build their own personalized bracelet or necklace,” adds Maroof. “Bracelets and personalized jewelry, like initials and charms, tend to perform well around graduation season as gifts.”

Straight-up fashion-forward styles have wide appeal, too. Foundational pieces for a new jewelry wardrobe include strands of cultured pearls, gold chains, diamond pendants, stud earrings, and more; wearers will add to them over time, embellishing their own personal stories of achievements and life moments in gold and precious gems.

“Pearl strands continue to be a top choice for young women graduating and preparing to enter the workforce and the world,” says Fran Mastoloni, principal, Mastoloni Pearls. “These classic pieces symbolize the beginning of their jewelry collection and mark a significant moment in their journey.”

“Not only does giving fine jewelry symbolize the graduate stepping into adulthood, but colored gems also express her personality or birthstone for a jewelry gift that’s uniquely her,” observes Monica McDaniel, vice president and marketing director, Chatham, a maker of created gem jewelry.

In colored gemstones, two-stone styles and birthstones are popular for a younger crowd. And in a surprising turn of events, color has overtaken diamonds in many purchases.

Mastoloni Pearls

“Today’s young women tend to favor color,” notes McDaniel, who encourages merchants to order dainty colored gemstone-accented designs as graduation gifts for women.

More thoughtful jewelry choices include cosmic themes à la “reach for the stars.” Not surprisingly, diamonds are the accent of choice in these to mimic the real thing.

“The most frequently ordered jewelry gift for graduates is a lab-grown diamond pendant from our Celestial Collection,” reveals McDaniel. “These star-inspired pendants beautifully communicate how bright she shines as well as her family’s pride in the woman she’s become.

Since diamonds go with everything, it’s a wonderful starting point for her first jewelry collection. These meaningful presents will be something for her to cherish and remember who she is as she starts her next adventure.”