You don’t have to be royalty or fabulously wealthy to curate an enviable jewelry collection. You can discover the allure of exquisite jewelry collections, even if you’re on a tight budget.
There’s no reason why you can’t start with a piece or two and slowly add to your collection over the years.
But where do you even start? In other words, what pieces should you add first, and which ones can wait?
To help guide you, here’s a look at some of the pieces that should be in every exquisite jewelry collection.
Start Building Your Jewelry Collection with These Must-Have Pieces
Even though everyone’s tastes differ, some jewelry pieces transcend all styles. Here are a few pieces you may want to start adding to your growing jewelry collection.
Gold or Silver Hoops
Gold hoops are classic and elegant, and they go with everything from a t-shirt to a little black dress. You can dress up your office attire or add a little pizazz to your weekend wear.
If you aren’t fond of gold, don’t worry, you’re not alone. A pair of silver or platinum hoops will add the same stylish touch as gold.
Something to consider if gold isn’t your thing: platinum hoops are durable and relatively maintenance-free. If you’re like almost everyone else, your life is hectic, leaving you little time for jewelry maintenance.
Diamond Studs
Diamond studs are often cited as a woman’s favorite jewelry piece, which can also apply to fashion-forward guys. There’s something classic, elegant, and even a little sexy about wearing a pair of diamond stud earrings.
Yes, diamonds are an investment, which can be especially true for carat sizes larger than 0.25. If you want your studs to make a statement, you’re looking for medium-size stones around 0.50 carats.
Did you know you can save on the price point by going with lab-grown diamonds? You get the same brilliant sparkle, only at a more affordable price.
Compared to mined gemstones, lab-grown diamonds are not only more cost-effective but are also an eco-friendly option. You can still get the sparkle while also doing some good for the environment.
A Classic Watch
You’ll be able to find watches in almost any size, color, and style. Some watches can easily be a statement piece—think of wide, bejeweled bands and large faces.
However, as you’re building your jewelry collection, you may want to stick with more classic designs. A good example is Cartier’s tank watch– you know, the one made famous by the late Princess Diana and an array of other A-list celebrities.
A classic watch is a timeless jewelry piece that goes with almost any outfit in your closet. It can be worn with an electric dress, a casual shirt, or even a cocktail dress. You can even mix it with other pieces in your jewelry collection.
A Simple Band
When you think of plain bands, wedding rings typically come to mind. However, a plain gold, silver, tungsten, or platinum band doesn’t have to signify your marital status.
Not only can it become a staple of your collection, but a plain band is also easily stackable.
You can join the latest jewelry trend of stacking rings together, where a simple band can be the stack’s foundation, or you can mix two in the middle. A reason for its popularity is the ring’s versatility.
You don’t even have to wear the band on your ring finger, and you play around with different sizes—maybe you simply prefer wearing the band on your pinky or middle finger.
Go Bold with a Statement Ring
Statement rings are fun: they can also be elegant, sophisticated, and trendy. As you browse display cases, consider your own personal taste and style or even your favorite color. Since you’re building your jewelry collection, you may want to stick with semi-precious stones.
Statement rings are typically large, which also reflects the price. Your budget won’t allow you to add a large sapphire or diamond to your collection.
Consider stones like onyx, malachite, and turquoise to stay on budget and still get a quality statement ring. These and similar stones are more affordable, even in rings large enough to cover half of your finger.
You may also want to consider a signet ring for a statement piece. The chunky-style ring definitely makes a statement, and it can also help initiate conversations.
After all, everyone will want to know the significance behind your statement ring.
An Elegant Necklace
Elegant and simple often go hand in hand, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Remember that your jewelry collection should reflect your personality, taste, and style, which applies to your choice of necklaces.
An elegant necklace can be a simple gold chain or one with a delicate pendant.
However, your necklace can also draw instant attention, or you may prefer more than one chain or a larger jeweled pendant.
The choice is yours, but remember, necklaces with plenty of color and detail can also limit what they can be worn with, which is something to consider before adding a necklace to your collection.
If you’re just starting your collection, sometimes waiting on the statement necklaces is the best course of action. Don’t forget, you can also swap out the pendants as long as you have an elegant chain.
Add a Signature Piece
Along with the basics, you may want to add a signature piece of jewelry, which is when you get to have some fun picking out the special item.
Your signature piece can be any type of jewelry. All that matters is how you feel wearing it. Your signature piece should reflect your style and be something everyone knows is yours.
Curate a Jewelry Collection You’ll Want to Pass Down
Jewelry is important to people for various reasons, ranging from practicality to showcasing their sense of fashion or even their status.
On top of that, curating a collection of exquisite jewelry can be a fun experience.
You can find pieces you love and will last for generations. Along the way, you may also learn something about your unique tastes and style.