Starting a jewelry collection can feel daunting; knowing which staple pieces you need and identifying what is worth investing in takes time. However, there are some key pieces that every jewelry lover should own and certain habits you should adopt to prolong the life of your collection. Let’s take a closer look at the must-have pieces for your jewelry collection.
Key Jewelry Pieces to Start Your Collection
To begin with, rather than going straight for an unusual signature necklace or ring, the best approach is to buy several classic pieces that never go out of style or lose their value and build from there. The key pieces everyone needs in their collection include:
- An Everyday Luxury Watch
Beautiful luxury watches elevate any look; even if it’s the only piece of jewelry you wear, you can look stylishly pulled together. As your collection grows, you can introduce timepieces that work for specific occasions, such as evening events or the office. However, it’s best to go for an all-occasion, everyday watch when you’re just starting.
Choose a metal bracelet and avoid colorful dials or ostentatious stones. To ensure your watch goes with every outfit and doesn’t clash with your other jewelry or purse hardware, pick a two-tone yellow and white gold bracelet. If you’re concerned about your investment value, stick to classic brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet that experience minimal depreciation.
- A Set of Simple Hoop Earrings
There’s a huge variety when it comes to hoop earrings, not just in the choice of metal but also the diameter, the width, the style, and the details such as diamonds. It’s advisable for your first pair of luxury hoops to opt for a classic look rather than an on-trend design.
Although large, blinged-out hoops can add real personality to an outfit, they don’t go with as many looks as smaller, more minimal ear-hugging styles do. However, that doesn’t mean you have to choose hoops devoid of personality. Design features such as twists or precious stones can make your earrings unique.
- A Delicate Gold Chain
Gold chains hold their value and never go out of style. Start with a delicate piece that you can wear every day or save for special occasions. There are many chain styles to choose from, from classics like the Cuban link chain or for bolder looks, the box chain.
Go for one with an adjustable size so that it can be worn with different looks throughout your lifetime, and ensure that it is solid gold and not gold-plated. The great thing about a gold chain is that it can be transformed with different pendants to go with various ensembles.
- Stackable Rings
Although bold cocktail rings add a little extra to a jewelry collection, they aren’t necessarily the first thing you should invest in. Start with a couple of bands that can be worn alone or stacked to create a unique look.
This small collection of rings should complement each other but be varied in thickness, stones, and even metal types to build a personalized aesthetic. Look around until you find a band that speaks to you, but beware of choosing pieces that will overwhelm each other.
- Stud Earrings
Stud earrings are the ultimate everyday piece, and no jewelry collection should be without a stunning pair. Diamonds, pearls, or other stone stud earrings add a touch of class to a look and are the perfect accompaniment to statement pieces. Pave diamond studs are an excellent choice if you’d rather save your money for other pieces, as they tend to be less expensive than other earring styles.
- A Statement Necklace
Besides your staple pieces that can be worn every day, your jewelry box won’t be complete without a statement necklace—a standout piece that takes even the simplest outfit to a chic new level. Statement necklaces are where you can let your personality shine; it can become your signature piece, so make sure it boldly expresses your style.
Take your time searching for a piece that you love. Concentrate on finding a piece that speaks to you and that you won’t tire of, rather than following jewelry trends. Some fantastic styles for statement necklaces include sautoir necklaces, lariats, chokers, and princess necklaces. Opt for well-known brands such as Tiffany & Co., Mikimoto, and Piaget, to get the most out of your investment.
- A Tennis Bracelet
A tennis bracelet is an elegant way to add a little bling to your look and jewelry box. These sophisticated pieces’ delicate nature means they work with any outfit and never go out of style. For the traditional tennis bracelet look, opt for white or yellow gold with diamonds in either a prong, channel, or bezel style.
Building Your Collection
As you build your jewelry collection, take your time to look through auctions—both online and in-person—and jewelers to get a sense of what you like. Auctions are a great place to buy as they tend to have a wide range available, and you can find some more unusual pieces. However, it can take more time than buying new. Building a jewelry collection requires patience; it doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s an enjoyable process.
Investment Pieces vs. Fun Designs
High-end jewelry is a financial commitment and is a safer bet to choose classic styles when it comes to the more expensive pieces, as these hold their value better than trendy designs.
However, while investment pieces like Cartier bracelets and Rolex watches are where you should invest your money, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with less serious pieces. Silver jewelry and semi-precious stones are ideal for quirky additions to your jewelry box.
Caring for Your Jewelry
You cannot underestimate the importance of taking good care of your jewelry collection. Store it in a jewelry box so nothing gets tangled, and purchase a gentle jewelry cleaner. Take extra care of vintage jewelry as it can be more fragile. If broken vintage pieces can’t be fixed, they can often be repurposed. Consult experts for advice because different pieces require different care. For instance, you should remove residue from perfume and hairspray from pearls with a soft damp cloth. Watches need a little extra care because of their complex mechanisms and should be periodically serviced by professionals.
The Takeaway
To build a quality jewelry collection, you must invest time and money. However, it is one of the most enjoyable kinds of investment you will make. Start with a solid base of classic pieces, and then have fun picking up jewelry items that speak to you.