Starting a new jewelry collection

[hopingoneday]

You need to find out what you love. First start with what metals makes your heart sing.
For me it is 18k Yellow Gold. I do not like white metals at all. Know your golds!

Next what areas do you like to highlight? I love bracelets . I love looking down and seeing them on my wrists. They make me very happy. I love stacking them.
I also like rings. I can see them, they feel good on my hands and I enjoy them.
I also love earrings , large earrings . Hoops and dangles are my favorite. I have some ear clips and enjoy them too.

I need more necklaces, but they are not a fav to me at this time.

Then go to stores and try everything on. Find your personal style. You mentioned Tiffany 's that is a good start. Go to all of the classics. Cartier, VCA.etc. It may not be your style or you may fall in love. Check out small boutiques too. Do you like gemstones? Modern or a vintage vibe?
Think of your daily life and what fits in it. Think of your clothing, hair and makeup. What jewelry would complement you and your style? Don't buy something because it is popular here!
Have fun!

I loooove this advice sjunky! Detailed, actionable and practical!!! I think you need to be my shopping buddy.

 

[mickey]

You might also think about doing a 'trial run': faux or cheaper pearl necklace/earrings because some people find that pearls aren't for them; CZ studs to find out what size earrings to purchase/save for; gold plated bracelets in white/yellow/rose to see how they look with your wardrobe and skin tone; lower priced watches in the style of the fancier watches you're considering. Sometimes it's good to live with things for awhile before deciding to invest serious money.....or find stores with great return policies.

 

[Melora24]

Regarding earrings, there is no point in buying pearl or diamond studs if you prefer to have pendant earrings. I don't have diamond studs, but I have pearls and never wear them. I wear my Tiffany almost every day: they move with me, and match almost any outfit or necklace.
One of their best features: the pendant at the end of the chain can turn any direction and never seem to be backwards.

 

[Jesssh]

OP, I am going through something similar and it is really easy to get off track.

(I built a fine jewelry collection a while ago, got bored with it, and now I'm into chunkier and casual pieces which have their own issues since I am now trying to avoid plated and expensive. Today I discovered some Bony Levy pieces I loved, but they don't go with much that I have so I would need to start another collection of "delicate" jewelry. OFF TRACK!)

Anyway, here is what I suggest:

Every time you see something online that you might like, download a pic to your tablet or phone and organize these pics into albums. (I use the Photo Manager Pro app because it lets me organize albums hierarchically.)

Then start putting collections together of items that you would wear together. You may not have a good idea of the proportions, but at least you could see what styles go together. You can even bring bags and clothes into the collections if that works. (I use the pic stitch app to combine pics of items.)

I am always adding and deleting items from my wish list photo album, and combining different items using pic stitch. For example, does this watch look good with that bracelet? Does this pendant work with those earrings?

Obviously if you get the standard pieces in a single metal with mainstream styles, they will probably go together. But if you are looking for signature pieces, it becomes more difficult. If you are used to wearing bold jewelry, I have a feeling you might enjoy signature pieces more. You just have to find the right ones.

Look at your wish list photo album often and find new things to add. Delete the ones you get tired of looking at. After a few weeks or months, some pieces will have stayed for a long time and you may know for sure that they are "you". (Some of them may have gone to outlet or clearance by then!)

FWIW, you should be able to find standard pieces very inexpensively: gold bead stud earrings, pearl stud earrings, wire hoops, pearl pendant or choker, cz pendant. They will last just as long as more expensive pieces. I would save your money for the signature pieces you fall in love with.

BTW, my favorite pieces at this time are from Elsa Peretti Tiffany (no purchases yet), Bony Levy (no purchases yet), Movado watches, John Atencio, Na Hoku and Kabana, Ippolita. My styles are modern, smooth and flowy, slightly edgy, or casual and beachy. (Not traditional or sparkly. )