Silver necklaces from Tiffany seem very popular with girls that age. The Elsa Peretti heart of bean are classics at this point. James Avery (popular jeweler in the South- you can see his offerings online,) has a lot of vey nice silver pendents- some embellished with a little gold.

My grandson is also 'graduating' from 8th grade this year, and all he cares about are video games. I refuse to play that one, so he gets a nice contribution to his college fund.

We gave our DD this necklace for her 8th grade graduation. That was approximately 5 minutes ago, and she went to her Junior prom on Friday night. Sigh. Anyway, my point was going to be that she still likes it and wears it frequently.

https://www.tiffany.com/jewelry/necklaces-pendants/elsa-peretti-open-heart-pendant-GRP06386?trackpdp=pr

Around here, all the teen girls just love Kendra Scott jewelry. The Elise pendant is so sweet and you can customize the stone. I think it would be perfect for an 8th grade graduation.

This one is $65

When I was in jr. high I got a charm necklace featuring the mascot of what would become my high school. Now in my case it was a pretty cardinal, but that might open up some ideas for a necklace. I had quite a few petite necklaces in my younger days and liked all of them.

Both my girls loved jewelry at that age. When they got a nice jewelry gift, one promptly wore it and either broke it or lost it. The other put it away to protect it and never wore it. It all depends on your GD's maturity level and personality.

Since she is heading to high school, how about a good purse or some statement clothing or shoes? Frye boots, birkenstocks, Patagonia jacket, Kate Spade purse? Whatever her peers think is cool :)

I envy those of you shopping for girls. Sigh.

Is she crafty? If so I recommend The Journey is the Destination, by Dan Eldon, a nice scrapbook, and some funky pens.

Or, a box set of series books. If you let us know more of what she is like, we can all recommend some good series.

sushipup, as a mother of boys who loves jewelry, I hear ya! Seriously, it is very hard to find a meaningful/sentimental gift for a boy.

I just wanted to say I'm going half-wit already with two graduations (both DD and DS) and two birthdays real close to graduations..I spent so much already and still not fully satisfied lol, and not sure they will be

but your GD is younger. was easier a bit back then..

I'd vote a) jewelry b) interesting watch

(I still keep my first pendant. And I wore my first watch for years until was beyond repair. Of course depends on a person..)

It can be some fabulous book/s, yes-again depends on her interests

I drag some books I got as a teen still with me...three countries, back and forth..

I'm very sentimental though, and I love books. She might be like me-then it's gift for life, even more so than jewelry

Can be art too..

Can be special personalized..I don't know, quilt?

Can be a toy..aha:) Again, depends. I slept with beloved soft toys until I got married( well, boys and soft toys..I didn't see much contradiction at that age lol) I still have them. My DD "borrowed" my favorite teddy bear (the only thing me and my ex were able to afford from Harrods lol..so his name is Harrods) and it lives in her room for years already, and she comes with her boyfriend often, and Harrods doesn't get banned either..from what I can judge..

oh wow. I went completely OT. sorry. as I said I'm not at the top of my mental capacities.

I agree girls are easier..generally speaking

College fund can be a great idea too. Smth small plus college fund contribution.

(I did find smth hopefully meaningful for my son-we'll see how it goes..can't attest to its meaningfulness yet. )