PLEASURE, PLAY, POWER
There are many ways to approach collecting jewelry. Ultimately, building your collection is about knowing yourself and what will bring you joy.
There are no rules.
A lot of how-to-collect guides will tell you to start with the basics, recommending everyday essentials and timeless pieces; this is not that guide. There's no law that says you need gold hoops or diamond studs or a signet ring. Jewelry should convey the essence of who you are, and your collection is your fingerprint, uniquely yours alone. Deciding what you want and going for it is perhaps the greatest pleasure of adulting. If you want a fistfuls of cocktail rings or oceans of aquamarines, I say, go wild.
Play with a theme.
Jewelry should be fun, so play around with whatever pieces you're drawn to. You may be surprised at what you can “pull off.” Mix and match textures and shapes, metals and gemstones, and delight in the coincidences. Do you have a favorite color or shades that look best on your skin tone? Are there shapes or motifs you're drawn to? These can be a through-line as you let your imagination run free.
Invest with open eyes
Costume jewelry is pretty; fine jewels are power. Jewelry made with precious metals and genuine gemstones - what we define as “fine” - will last for generations and they hold their value, while items filled or plated with gold often last only a few months. That said, my own collection contains jewels made of paper and glass as well as a few costume metal and plastic pieces alongside the fine gold and silver. The important bit is that each piece was a mindful choice. Know what you're investing in and why, and then curate however you like.
I genuinely love jewelry, and I'd love to help you curate your jewelry collection. Email me anytime!
Your jewels are a message to the world, just as rays are messages of the sun.
Comments