by Katherine Adams

Created on: June 17, 2009   Last Updated: June 19, 2009

Diamonds might be a girl's best friend in song, but for jewelry like watches, polyurethane or leather might be a better choice. When it's time to buy a young lady's timepiece, expensive gems aren't the most practical choice for kids.

Expense isn't the main consideration when purchasing your fashionista's watch. Whether you look at Timex, Lorus or newer brands to the marketplace, you can buy a stylish and functional timepiece for as little as $10. Even when you consider a higher-end girl's watches, well-made pieces cost less than $50.

Today's girls want more than time-keeping when they wear a watch - they want more style, more accessories and more colors. Manufacturers are happy to accommodate these wishes by updating their products to fit today's lifestyles.

After passing that "the big hand is on the 12" stage, and a girl asks for her first watch, it's dizzying trying to decide on the perfect model. Times have changed in children's jewelry, especially in watches. Your daughter wants a lime-colored watch? Got it. Hannah Montana has to be on the dial? Hard to find a seller without several versions of a Miley Cyrus-branded timepiece. Your niece still has trouble figuring out when it's time to get ready for school? Most brands now have a "time-teaching" style in stock.

The number of colors and features is exciting to girls, but the practical adult buying the watch shouldn't have his or her arm twisted by a cute face begging for her favorite cartoon. Even though you won't max out your credit card when buying a child's watch, you want it to
last - at least until her next birthday.

Some factors to consider when buying a girl's watch:

1. Are the numbers readable? Whether you've checking out a traditional analog watch, or a digital style, don't make your child strain her eyes just to read the time.

2. Can the watch withstand water splashed on it? Don't make the mistake of thinking "water resistant" stamped on the back means it can be worn while swimming - or even while running through a sprinkler. Watches made for swimming are marked with the letters "ATM." A 3 ATM model means you can use the watch up to 30 meters, or 100 feet. This piece is suitable for everyday use ("oops, I splashed my watch when I was brushing my teeth"), but isn't suitable for swimming. A 5 ATM watch (50 meters/165 feet) is suitable for short periods of swimming, but don't use it for snorkeling.

3. Don't forget to consider movement, the watches "engine." A quartz model is the most affordable,

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