Ryan Stracuzzi, 17, of Darien, looks at the jewelry at Pennyweights in New Canaan. He needed a little help from his friends to get just the right Valentine's Day gift for his girlfriend.

Photo Credit: Melvin Mason

Bill Gardella, 50, of Easton, looks at the earrings on display at Pennyweights in New Canaan. He's hoping to hit it big with his wife, Susan.

Photo Credit: Melvin Mason

Dina Keeffe, left, and Ginny Knetzger, who work at Wave jewelry on Main Street in New Canaan, say diamonds are still a girl's best friend. And they expect to be busy helping men get those last-minute gifts.

Photo Credit: Melvin Mason

NEW CANAAN, Conn. – Ryan Stracuzzi could hear the clock ticking – and he wasn’t going to take any chances.

Poll
How will you celebrate Valentine's Day?
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Results
How will you celebrate Valentine's Day?
Dinner or a night out with your significant other
40% (2 votes)
Cooking with your significant other and dining at home
0% (0 votes)
Spending the day/night with friends
0% (0 votes)
Watching movies or sports
20% (1 vote)
Nothing special
40% (2 votes)
Total votes: 5
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Rather than drop the Valentine’s Day ball by getting the wrong thing, Stracuzzi, 17, of Darien, enlisted the help of friends Kelly and Colleen Keating to help choose the right trinket for girlfriend Lizzy Steinborn.

“I have no idea at all,” Stracuzzi said, looking through the bracelets, earrings and necklaces Monday at Pennyweights on Elm Street. “I can’t pick it out myself.” Luckily, the Keating sisters had a read on what Lizzy might like — perhaps something silver. 

Pennyweights manager Kelly Sigg said the Valentine’s Day season has been good for the shop. Men stopped by to get something sparkly for their wives, girlfriends or daughters while women wanted to be nice to their parents and daughters. “We’ve had a lot of age groups,” Sigg said. In particular demand this year, she said, are heart-shaped earrings. “They like the hearts in any color,” she added.

Jewelry continues to be a staple of Valentine’s Day because women love to look pretty, Sigg said. “I think the ladies love it, and you can’t go wrong with jewelry."

Bill Gardella, 50, of Easton, certainly hopes so. He stopped into Pennyweights to find something charming for Susan, his wife of 26 years. He’s guessing earrings will be what Susan wants. “If you want to get to 27 (years) you have to make it here,” he said with a laugh.  

The staff of Wave jewelry on Main Street are ready for a mad dash of men to get something to make their women feel special for Valentine’s Day. Dina Keeffe, a Wave employee, said the men aren't afraid to ask for a little help. “They’re ready to shop,” she said.

Co-worker Ginny Knetzger said jewelry is always appealing on Valentine’s Day. “I don’t know any woman that doesn’t like jewelry,” she said.