Building A Personal Jewelry Collection Ideas, Tips & Guide

Accessories give your finished ensemble that added oomph. Your choice of jewelry can change your overall look and make an outfit more appropriate for the occasion.

Just like your choice of clothes, your jewelry selection also tells a lot about your personality and character. Personality is highly complicated, and jewelry is one way to make a statement about your beliefs, values, and talents.

The reverse is also true: as the years go by, you may exchange practical, baby-friendly jewelry for more ornate pieces and signature jewelry that brighten your wardrobe. Retirement also means that you no longer need to follow an office dress code. Instead, you are free to explore your more creative side through your jewelry choices.

Jewelry becomes part of you when you grow up with it, which is why a jewelry collection often becomes a family tradition. Family celebrations pave the way for heirlooms to be brought out into full view. During special occasions, everyone can see, touch, and hear how a legacy piece became part of the family. 

Stories are usually shared alongside the actual jewelry, which also means educating the current and next generation about the history of a particular piece. Your mother may fondly recall how your father scrimped and saved to be able to afford a diamond ring. Your aunts may share how they loved seeing Grandma all dressed up with a fancy necklace that she only wore during weddings or holiday parties. 

Each piece becomes a link to family members or friends who have passed on. Some signature pieces are passed on from father to firstborn child in an unending chain. Your brand-new engagement ring eventually becomes “something old” for your future granddaughter’s wedding. Your graduation necklace may be passed down to family members from the same alma mater.

People often buy custom-made jewelry for these momentous events:

Costume jewelry, also known as imitation jewelry or trinkets, is made from a wide range of materials. They are less costly than “real” jewelry made from precious metal and gems.

If your standard choice of jewelry is a simple pendant or a single strand of pearls, you are likely the traditional kind of person. Most likely, the pieces you are wearing are gifts from your family, close friends, or a special someone. Your preferred ornaments may be part of your family's collection.

Coordinated jewelry shows that you are organized and highly reliable. This does not mean that you are boring or dull. What it signifies is that you have an eye for detail. You are also highly aware of your responsibilities and prefer to follow rules. People go to you for your advice and inputs because they see you as a professional who can help them bring their lives together.

Think turquoise bracelets, seashell pendants, and sea glass. They may not be as costly as real pieces, but these ornaments are just as beautiful. Recycled and hand-made jewelry pieces are associated with people who love the outdoors.

People who have a love affair with this kind of jewelry usually spend a lot of time in thrift stores, antique shops, and garage sales. Brand names have zero influence on their choice of jewelry. If they love how the rings feel or what the pendant says, it is theirs.

If you live, play, and breathe your favorite sports, it’s a small leap to wearing jewelry inspired by it. Sports jewelry pieces are designed to represent your favorite sports and you can find many athletes and fans wearing custom-made sports jewelry.

Statement jewelry is known for its one-of-a-kind, distinct design. Whether it is the work of an artist or something you created yourself, chances are you probably won’t find anything similar elsewhere.

A more subtle way of showing your personality is by incorporating your birthstone. Personalized birthstone jewelry can be worn at any age, from first earrings for babies to elegant pieces for the more mature.   It’s a common belief that your birth date determines your personality and strengths. Aside from horoscopes, you can see this in the popularity of birthstones.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend, and women born in April can have custom-made diamond jewelry depicting their strength. For those born in July, rubies can signify both your birth month and your passion for life.  Find out your birthstone here. Note that this list may differ from country to country.

If you are not a believer, that’s fine. Birthstones are still a fun option to jazz up your jewelry collection. These precious and semiprecious stones can add a much-needed pop of color to your wardrobe.

Did you know that you can turn doodles or your child's scribbles into actual jewelry? Or even use a departed loved one’s handwriting on a pendant, ring or on the back of a watch.

Stick to simpler pieces. You can wear stud earrings with a thin necklace, and you should still have the sparkle even if you are sweaty. Invest in understated pieces made from durable materials.

If you are the kind who likes to be out there at parties or social functions, then choose more eye-catching pieces mixed with classic staples. Intricate designs look great on camera. Make sure you have jewelry appropriate for each occasion. 

If you are a laidback and go with the flow type of person, you can either stick to a uniform set (ring, earrings, and a watch) or have jewelry that you can mix and match effortlessly.

Your work will also influence the kind of jewelry you invest in. Celebrities and influencers would understandably flaunt more conspicuous accessories because it is part of their job.

They go out to attend parties and be visible. As brand ambassadors, they need the jewelry to catch the eye, spark curiosity, and trigger a purchase- a well-known marketing strategy. 

If your work involves operating machinery or similar activities, make sure your jewelry is not a potential hazard. Most businesses allow the use of jewelry. However, industries like construction, factories, and some food processing plants usually prohibit them.

Bored of simple pieces? Don’t despair. You can still keep that glorious pair of diamond drop earrings for special occasions.

Find out which metal matches your personality and preferences. Some people love the warm hues of gold against their skin, while others are more attracted to the cool tones of silver or platinum. Diamonds hold an almost universal appeal, but some may prefer the vibrancy of colored gemstones. The choice is yours.  

Take time to research the different kinds of metal used in jewelry. This is important if you have a history of allergies in your family. To be on the safe side, get a skin patch test to identify your triggers.

Aside from skin sensitivity, consider also that some metals are more durable than others. Wedding rings are worn continuously, so they are often made of long-lasting materials like platinum or gold. For pieces that you wear less often, gold-plated or sterling silver are great choices. However, remember that plated jewelry and non-gold metals may tarnish over time.

Expect to spend a substantial amount on quality jewelry. Building a collection takes careful planning and extensive budgeting.

Even if your budget is limited, you can start by adding small pieces to your growing collection. 

Meanwhile, a service plan would take care of the repair costs that you might need, like ring sizing, rhodium plating, and prong re-tipping. If you’re planning to get pregnant, keep in mind that your ring size may go up permanently by as much as two sizes.

You should also weigh in the importance of jewelry insurance because anything can happen. Having this security blanket is worth it to ensure that you have a single piece or entire collection protected.

Often, homeowners' and renters' insurance only covers jewelry up to a certain amount after the deductibles. So it would be an excellent idea to discuss your jewelry insurance options with a trusted company.

If you are a fan of a particular brand, give their jewelry store a visit. Most renowned jewelers also have websites and social media pages where you can purchase online.

You will be surprised by the collection your local jeweler might offer. The brands may not be that loud and known, but if you are not too particular about the logo, then you can find good pieces. Not only do you help your local economy, smaller stores usually offer excellent customer service and promos to loyal customers.

If you want vintage or unique pieces, visit art fairs and farmer’s markets. You can work directly with jewelry artisans and craftspeople for custom designs found nowhere else. These pieces tend to be sustainable and eco-friendly compared with those from bigger suppliers.

As they say, someone else’s trash can be your newfound treasure. If you get lucky, you might land an exceptional find worth 100% more than the bargain price.

One of the joys of traveling is discovering pieces that can serve as keepsakes of your trip. Aside from bringing home souvenirs from your last vacation, you also gain a better appreciation of their culture and help their economy.

Both small and well-established brands have taken their jewelry stores online. You will be surprised at the wide selection of jewelry that these e-commerce businesses can open up for you.

Not sure about storing your jewelry? Let us help! Find below some more practical tips and ideas for storing any type of jewelry to keep it safe from common elements and displayed appropriately.