Whether starting a new collection for the first time or curating an existing collection, we could all use some help! Most of us have a working budget that we keep aside for our discretionary purchases. I wish I could say I had unlimited funds but truth of the matter is I don’t. So I earn, save and then spend on things I love! And, REPEAT!
I thought it would be nice to have a separate thread to share our ideas on what works and what doesn’t work for everyone when curating their individual collections!
I can start off with things I have learnt:
In the end, it’s important to stay true to yourself! Not being swayed by what’s ‘popular’, ‘trending’ or ‘splashed’ on social media is so important! Never try to keep up with the Joneses. In fact the best thing you can do is gladly let your friends, neighbors and everyone else pass you in the race to accumulate material things! It’s not the quantity that matters but how well-loved your collection is.
Phew, I wrote a story, didn’t I? Call it the perils of my job!
Since this is a VCA forum, would love to know how you curate your VCA jewelry collection but honestly, this can apply to any collection in general! We could all benefit from each other’s learnings and experiences! And, add pictures of your favorite pieces please for us to drool over
Sharing a few pieces from my current collection. Still waiting for a few more pieces to join before I am ready to share a complete ‘family’ pic! 😝
I thought it would be nice to have a separate thread to share our ideas on what works and what doesn’t work for everyone when curating their individual collections!
I can start off with things I have learnt:
- When starting a collection, identify a piece that you know you wear the most! It could be a pair of earrings or a ring or bracelet or necklace. Research, research, research! Whether by looking at mod shots, going into the store to try in person or researching on the longevity of the piece in terms of durability and wearability. When I started my collection, I wanted it ALL! I got a ring, then a bracelet and then a pair of earrings within a span of 3-4 months! I was like a Cookie Monster that could not be stopped! Bad strategy! I was everywhere and frankly, nowhere at the same time! Fast forward to today, most days I wear a pair of earrings, a watch and rings. Those are my favorite pieces!
- Start slow and steady! Give yourself time to realize whether you actually like the piece before adding another. Over time I realized I am not even a necklace person! Then why was I buying necklaces like I had half a dozen necks to wear them? 😂 My sweet spot is the four necklaces I currently own - a 10-motif, 16-motif and two pendants. I rotate and wear them a lot. I love having the flexibility that I can add up to 4 more necklaces (2 RG/YG and 2 WG) but just because I can , I won’t do it because I know I won’t wear them and end up rehoming or gifting them! Buy what you love works in theory but buy what you love and will actually wear a lot is how I am now able to keep my monstrous wishlist in check!
- You don’t need ‘complete’ sets! What? This coming from a die-hard matchy-matchy gal! But, hear me out. People often think sets mean having the entire set of earrings, necklace, ring and bracelet! Not really, for me two pieces make a set! So, I am happy if I can find sets of two but it’s not a deal breaker! The beauty of VCA pieces is that we can mix and match, and still look put together!
- Organization keeps me sane and on target! I am a data girl through and through! I have a working excel sheet with everything I own broken down by each category (e.g. Necklaces, Rings, Bracelets, Earrings and Watches) and also by design (Alhambra, Perlee, Frivole etc.). This helps me get a visual layout of my collection and identify any gaps that exist. Oh, and I also update the current prices next to each piece.
- No matter how carefully we curate our collections, our tastes evolve over time and what looks like a perfect collection at one point in time may not always be true! Modifications and adaptations are the true rules of the game! Case in point, I started with VCA stone pieces because I was enamored by the vivid colors. Nearly 7-8 years later I find they no longer work in my collection. I want pieces that I can wear and travel with without caring about whether it’s snowing, raining, humid etc. I love and appreciate the durability of solid gold and pave pieces so my current collection reflects that. My biggest irk is owning and not using something! I am NOT a collector! So my collection only includes pieces I wear a lot. I don’t hold on to pieces I have outgrown because they are a reminder of my ‘mistakes’. I would rather cut my losses and re-home them or gift them. I do a lot of the latter to close family members. They are happy and so am I seeing them wear those pieces!
In the end, it’s important to stay true to yourself! Not being swayed by what’s ‘popular’, ‘trending’ or ‘splashed’ on social media is so important! Never try to keep up with the Joneses. In fact the best thing you can do is gladly let your friends, neighbors and everyone else pass you in the race to accumulate material things! It’s not the quantity that matters but how well-loved your collection is.
Phew, I wrote a story, didn’t I? Call it the perils of my job!
Since this is a VCA forum, would love to know how you curate your VCA jewelry collection but honestly, this can apply to any collection in general! We could all benefit from each other’s learnings and experiences! And, add pictures of your favorite pieces please for us to drool over
Sharing a few pieces from my current collection. Still waiting for a few more pieces to join before I am ready to share a complete ‘family’ pic! 😝
Haven’t felt that type of flutter since meeting my DH or laying eyes on our angel after we adopted.
Can’t wait for the phenomenal pics! 
I am so grateful for advice and experiences being shared by everyone in this thread! There is so much to learn from everyone! I for one am a firm believer in ‘knowledge shared is knowledge squared’