How do you approach building your jewelry wardrobe?

[pietonne]

A few years ago I decided to stop purchasing costume jewelry and focus on building a solid collection of real, 14k jewelry. I realized that I was in a place in my life and career where I no longer wore my costume jewels and much preferred my small collection of fine jewelry.

Since then I have collected a number of pieces that I love, but have a few simple pieces that are still on my wish list:

• A textured gold chain
• A fun gemstone pendant necklace, for layering or wearing alone
• Simple gold huggie hoops for casual wear (but something slightly more interesting than plain huggies - I'm thinking double hoop huggies)

None of these pieces are particularly expensive, and I estimate that all together they will cost me around $550.

I am tempted to "rip off the bandaid" and purchase these items now (I have found versions of all of them that I really like). But I'm wondering if it's really a good idea to buy three pieces at once, or if I should buy over time and see if my desires change...

For those of you who have consciously built a fine jewelry wardrobe, did you collect it over time as you found pieces that spoke to you, or did you plan our your "needs" and look for those specific items? Did you purchase multiple items at once, or spread your buying over time? I'd love to hear how you approached creating your collections!

 

[lill_canele]

I think it’s always very tempting to get everything at once, especially if money is not a concern.
And I often tell myself to take my time haha, because I want a lot of things but I also want to make sure I get use out of my fine jewelry.
As hard as it is to resist, try to take your time with it. I think part of the fun is figuring out what you really want, the process of getting it and then using it. While I understand that you said you found versions of all of them you really like, unless you’ve tried them on before, you may not necessarily know it’s for you until you get to wear them.
That’s why even though I currently have a long wishlist, I rarely pull the trigger because most of those things I have not tried. And when I go to try, that means I’m 98% ready to buy. 1% has to speak to me in a way that I know in my gut, I love this and I will get this now. The other 1% usually is for the occasion or reason I’m buying it for. Not saying you need a reason to buy, that’s just how I like to do it. Whether it’s my birthday, a milestone, or even for a specific set or stack etc. Because then the pieces become more meaningful to me and hold memories of that occasion. (Cus I’m a sappy sentimental person lol )

Though, to be fair, fine jewelry can be a slippery slope and it can get addicting haha. I’d say when I first started, I bought 4 pieces of fine jewelry within a year. But I was fortunate to not regret those purchases and still wear them today!

 

[pietonne]

I think it’s always very tempting to get everything at once, especially if money is not a concern.
And I often tell myself to take my time haha, because I want a lot of things but I also want to make sure I get use out of my fine jewelry.
As hard as it is to resist, try to take your time with it. I think part of the fun is figuring out what you really want, the process of getting it and then using it. While I understand that you said you found versions of all of them you really like, unless you’ve tried them on before, you may not necessarily know it’s for you until you get to wear them.
That’s why even though I currently have a long wishlist, I rarely pull the trigger because most of those things I have not tried. And when I go to try, that means I’m 98% ready to buy. 1% has to speak to me in a way that I know in my gut, I love this and I will get this now. The other 1% usually is for the occasion or reason I’m buying it for. Not saying you need a reason to buy, that’s just how I like to do it. Whether it’s my birthday, a milestone, or even for a specific set or stack etc. Because then the pieces become more meaningful to me and hold memories of that occasion. (Cus I’m a sappy sentimental person lol )

Though, to be fair, fine jewelry can be a slippery slope and it can get addicting haha. I’d say when I first started, I bought 4 pieces of fine jewelry within a year. But I was fortunate to not regret those purchases and still wear them today!

Thanks, this is very good advice! I think I am going to get the one piece that really makes my heart sing (the gemstone pendant) as a year-end gift to myself, and wait on the other two items (I also have a gift certificate to the store that sells the pendant). There's plenty of time to buy a chain and huggies!

 

[leechiyong]

I buy pieces as I fall in love with them. I started focusing on fine jewelry five years ago or so and now have too many pieces that I bought to fill a supposed need only to have found something I preferred later on. I say this with bags, but it applies to jewelry too, and probably moreso at that, which is there will always be something else to buy. There's just too many options with too many jewelry designers out there to buy something out of convenience. Find pieces you love.

 

[JessicaRabbit1]

Jewellery is lovely and fun. Speaking of my own experience, it is also very addictive (lol). Considering this, it can consume a lot of your resources to fill a jewellery box. Therefore, if you find yourself wanting to purchase more than one item, take the time to really think about it. Delaying gratification, and being confident and considered in your choice will help you build a collection that you will be proud of, actually wear, and enjoy. This will also reduce wastage of buying pieces, selling them for a loss or keeping them and not wearing them.
As someone already said - there is always something more to buy. The stores, designers, manufacturers, miners and cutters are not going anywhere. They will be there when you are ready. Its free to try things on, and you can always come back later.
Wishing you the best of luck

 

[880]

Try IRL many times before you buy. @papertiger posted some advice that I took to heart; see post #82 in the thread

Designer pieces: Verdura, David Webb, Schlumberger etc

is anyone familiar with seaman schepps? stumbled upon one of his pieces and they’re very similar to verdura Love Seaman Schepps and also wanted to rep David Webb in this thread! Pearl earrings are DW (I'm crazy in love with these!!), clusters are SS.

forum.purseblog.com

quote (from @papertiger
1. Go for a virtual window-shop around all the brands you seem drawn to and put into a folder.

2. Think about which category of jewellery do/will you actively wear more and which you don't. E.g. Everything I like best takes very little time to put on and needs to feel 100% secure. I like rings because I can see them, mix and match very easily. I like bangles and cuffs but not so much bracelets because of the time to do them up. I like necklaces too, but they need to be easy to do up and can't be too long. Brooches are less everyday - but I like the look.

3. ITA, don't do 'starter', buy the thing you really want. Same with 'make-do' jewellery coz it's available. Buy preloved if the variation of the model is no longer available. Nothing worse than thinking something's almost perfect. Some of these pieces you'll love may be strictly limited especially if sized.

4. If you like a piece with stones, educate yourself about them. Some stones shouldn't really be worn as everyday and harder to clean DIY, I'm sure you know this because of your pearls. Same with storing. Same with settings, pavé-set or tension set are always going to be a risk but diamonds can wear away their mounts too. For instance I know I should remove my gem-set rings when washing my hands, but when out, that's more risky for me. Mine-field for everyday wear (no pun intended). Add enamel work to this consideration too. I am the worst offender.

5. Everyday for you doesn't mean another's idea of everyday. Give a full picture of your style, wants and needs to whoever works with you. And don't be afraid to return a few times, better to sleep on decisions.

6. Ask about aftercare and services whoever provides before you commit.

 

[Christofle]

My suggestion is to build your collection through a slow deliberate search of what’s available on the market. I would also add that custom jewelry can feel a lot more special so I would also try to find yourself a jeweller that you you trust.

 

[Onebagtoomany]

My best advice is to take your time. I’ve wasted so much money over the years buying pieces that I later regretted. Having said that, tastes do change. My style is very different at 41 compared to 10 years ago. I’m bolder with some of my choices now, particularly with earrings and rings. I’m also very fussy about stone quality and will wait to find something that really makes my heart sing.

Another tip is to look at preowned/estate pieces. You can literally find treasures for a fraction of the original retail price and no one will ever know that you didn’t buy them new! I’ve acquired some of my nicest jewellery this way.

 

[Lux.]

I'm very impulsive by nature and would go broke if I bought everything I wanted at once or as soon as it catches my eye lol. I try my best to wait a while to mull it over in case I change my mind and move onto the next shiny thing to obsess over. Especially on the bigger ticket items. Then I buy whatever has stayed on my wish list for a while. It can get addicting as well so that is another great reason to pace yourself. I also limit myself on how many big ticket items I get per year.

 

[Joule]

Unless you're in a very fortunate position, I would advise slowly and steadily building a quality core collection of basics. (Keep your eye on the prize; I would avoid "step up" pieces that you will ultimately abandon once you acquire what you really want.) Bear in mind that what you see as a staple piece now could change over time.

Also take into consideration what is practical for your lifestyle. For instance, I learned the expensive way that even though I dearly love the sparkle of emeralds and sapphires, I just don't wear them - I stick to gold, pearls, and very small accent diamonds, no matter the occasion.

Once you've accumulated what you see as a good foundation wardrobe, you might start saving for more special pieces, to be bought only as often as you can easily afford them.

But that's just my advice. Another strategy might work for you, who knows?

 

[Pevi]

I agree with the slow approach.
Each case is unique. DH is not a good gift giver (!) and every birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Mother's Day, etc. He asks me: What did I buy you? . It´s not that he doesn't want to spend the money, it's just that he doesn't like to pick himself. ::I might have reacted a bit badly once when he travelled and brought me back a stuffed dog as a present when we were dating::
Almost every gift I want is jewelry. I also have an extremely generous and loving MIL that knows jewelry is my weakness and has gifted some very nice pieces to me.
On the other hand, I wear inexpensive pieces all through summer because I move to the beach and don't want to worry about my jewelry. And my city is becoming more and more dangerous, specially in the last year due to COVID, and I feel less and less inclined to wear my nicer pieces, so I have been buying cheaper things. I have worn real pieces exclusively for the last few years, but lately I don't want to wear them. So, buy what you're more inclined to wear.