Creating a Fine Jewelry Wardrobe

With the right fine jewelry purchases, you can create a stunning and versatile jewelry wardrobe. Here are some suggestions on how to begin building your jewelry collection.

Know Your Style

The fine jewelry pieces you select for your wardrobe will depend heavily on your style. Defining your style requires that you know yourself well enough to understand your likes and dislikes. When thinking about your style, ask yourself what kinds of pieces tend to get your attention. Think about whether you prefer ornate or streamlined pieces, diamonds or colored gems, current or classic pieces, and so on. Don't forget to take others' comments into consideration when determining your style. For example, what jewelry and outfits do others tend to compliment you on? The feedback you get from other people can help you decide what style of jewelry looks best on you.

Accommodate Your Lifestyle

When building your fine jewelry wardrobe, you must take your lifestyle into consideration. For example, if you work with your hands a lot, rings with large stones would be impractical for your day-to-day life. Similarly, you will want to choose pieces in which you will feel comfortable. If you don't feel confident or comfortable in a piece of jewelry, it will make the accessory less appealing to you and others.

Start with the Basics

At first, you should only purchase basic fine jewelry pieces that will go with everything. Think of these first few pieces as your jewelry wardrobe staples. Staple jewelry might include a gold or silver chain, basic diamond studs, a diamond pendant, classic hoop earrings, and a simple gold, silver, or diamond bracelet. As you build your wardrobe gradually, you can purchase pieces to add to or complement these basics. For instance, you might purchase pendants to attach to your gold or silver chain.

Consider Your Body & Face Type

No matter how attractive a piece of jewelry is, it will not flatter you if it is inappropriate for your body or face type. The structure of your bones and your height will both influence the kinds of fine jewelry that look good on you. For instance, petite women usually look best in long necklaces that fall slightly below the breast line in order to lengthen their figures. On the other hand, taller women tend to look best in choker-length necklaces that shorten the line of the neck and offset their height. Women who are very thin should avoid large pieces of jewelry that will look overwhelming on their frame, while full-figured women should avoid small, delicate pieces that will appear diminutive on them.