Life is often about letting go. Whether you’re letting go of the dream you had of being an ice-cream truck driver when you were five, or you’re letting go of your childhood blanket that is now a rag, sometimes letting go is the best. However, it can be harder to let go of items you bought as an adult. Jewelry is no exception.

It’s important to realize that by holding on to jewelry pieces that you no longer wear, you’re actually detracting from your happiness because you’re preventing yourself from moving on and finding pieces that are useful to you now. Letting go is a process; however, there are simple ways to jumpstart it.

Start by determining the last time you wore a piece of jewelry. Although there are some exceptions, most jewelry should be worn at least once a year. Exceptions include heirloom pieces and those with sentimental value. If you are wearing a piece of jewelry less than once a year, then it is time to reevaluate how you feel about the piece.

Perhaps you no longer enjoy it or maybe it reminds you of a specific period of your life that you would rather forget. Regardless of the reason, chances are the piece is no longer working for you. Once you have established that you no longer wear the piece semi-regularly, it’s time to set it aside or place it in storage. By de-cluttering your primary jewelry box, you are able to access and enjoy the pieces that you do wear regularly, and thus make room for increased happiness.

Once you have established the pieces that you no longer wear regularly, it’s time to replace them with updated accessories. The best way to inform your new purchases is by paying attention to what you just put in storage. For example, if you no longer wear a ring that you once adored because it is outdated, then begin by shopping for a new ring. Start by exploring your options. Perhaps gemstone rings, like the Pink Sapphire Brilliance Ring are the perfect fit for your style.

After finding the perfect replacement pieces, it’s time to utilize the new additions to your jewelry collection and enjoy stress-free accessorizing. Luckily, if the day ever comes that you want to revisit a piece of jewelry that you put in storage, you’ll know exactly where to find it. That’s the beauty of organization.

1. 1.     Each piece must add value to your (entire) outfit. As Coco Chanel infamously recommended, “Before leaving the house, a lady should stop, look in the mirror, and remove one piece of jewelry.” It’s great advice and still holds true. I also recommend checking to see if you need to add another piece of jewelry before you leave the house too – over-accessorizing and under-accessorizing are common jewelry errors. Just because it’s pretty or sentimental does not mean you should wear it with every outfit and just because you’re a serious professional does not mean you can’t have fun with your jewelry.
2. 2.     Each piece must be proportional to your body frame and facial features. The trick to the success with every outfit is to control where the ‘eye’ goes. When done well, the focus remains on ‘you’ and your outfit complements this goal. Jewelry can support or divert this objective and the size of each individual piece or the overall jewelry layout plays a key role. For example, layering necklaces can divinely style an outfit as long as the net effect does not overpower you. Pay special attention to the length of your necklaces too – you do not want to truncate your neck. Have you ever seen someone wear real diamond stud earrings that were so large they simply overlapped and overwhelmed the earlobe? Avoid this. When you’re talking with a client whose eyes are fixated on your earrings and away from your eyes, the odds of her or him paying attention to what you are saying decrease. A bold cuff bracelet may just be the perfect accessory to your shift dress, simply make sure the cuff width does not visually shorten the length of your arm.
3. 3.     Each piece must complement your skin tone as well as your outfit. It’s so important to select jewelry that not only looks great with your outfit, but enhances you too. Opt for jewelry metals and gemstones that illuminate your natural skin tone. There is a wide color spectrum of various hues in gold, silver, rose gold, turquoise, amethyst, etcetera. Perhaps you look better in green turquoise rather than blue turquoise or shiny yellow gold verses dark matte gold.
4. 4.     Each piece must be occasion and outfit appropriate. Today’s style rules are much more lenient than times past, even at work. It’s acceptable to wear baubles during the day. For instance, a chic, sophisticated crystal necklace may be the ideal accessory for a day full of meetings, but wearing it to give your closing trial argument is probably not a good idea – the shimmer will distract rather than attract your audience. It’s also important to note the tone/vibe of your outfit and jewelry. It is okay to mix centuries and seasons. The trick is to make sure the contrast is complementary. Daytime floral jewelry paired with a black silk evening jumpsuit will likely not work, but an ornate 1920’s vintage bracelet styled with a conservative, equestrian, tweed blazer may just be the perfect contrast. Experiment and use your best judgment.
5. 5.     Each piece must be versatile. The whole point of accessories is to add additional interest to an outfit. A great jewelry buy is when it’s not only a beautiful piece, but it complements several of your outfits. Ninety-nine percent of the time a matching necklace paired with matching earrings or a matching bracelet adds no additional value to an outfit – it’s not only outdated, but more importantly, it’s a visual distraction whereby people pay attention solely to the jewelry and not you. Plus a matching set is not versatile. Even if you break up the jewelry set and wear it separately, it’s not adding anything new, fresh or exciting to your daily outfits. Noisy jewelry also has its limitations. 

Hair color and jewelry are unlikely allies. Although it is often overlooked, hair color is a large part of a person’s overall appearance. As such, it is important to consider your hair color when choosing outfits, hats and especially jewelry. Because hair and jewelry share the same space on the face, it is critical that they co-exist in harmony. Even beyond that, it’s important that they complement one another. There are countless guides for matching skin color with jewelry and outfits with accessories, but very few address the importance of hair color. To enhance your overall ensemble and create a cohesive look that flatters, follow the simple guide below. 1) Blonde For blonde-haired beauties, the possibilities are endless. Most colors look great with fair hair because it is versatile and not too imposing. However, there are some colors that especially stun. Blue hued gemstones like sapphire and blue topaz look breathtaking with blonde hair because they serve as a subtle contrast against the lightness of the locks. Greens look great as well. If you’re feeling bold, opt for orange gemstones that will create a healthy glow when contrasted with fair skin and hair. 2) Red For fiery redheads, the jewelry colors that look best are neutrals. To contrast the intense heat from red hair, it’s useful to opt for colors that are muted and earth-toned. By choosing neutral colors, both the hair color and gemstone color will truly be able to shine. Dark greens, deep blues and yellows will look stunning with red headed vixens. Be sure to stay away from colors with gray undertones, as they will fail to pop. 3) Brunette Stunning brunettes have an array of choices when it comes to gemstone colors. Like blondes and red heads, blue is a wonderful color. However, unlike the other hair colors, deep reds and stunning purples are also highly recommended for brunettes. These colors highlight the natural undertones in brown hair and ultimately create a look that works together to shine. 4) Black When it comes to jewelry, women with black hair to seem to have all the fun. The best jewelry color for black hair is anything bold and bright. The list includes deep pinks, dark reds, light blue and green. Be sure to stay away from softer earthy tones; they can get lost in black hair.

It can be challenging to create a cohesive look. From choosing a blouse that matches your shoes and earrings that complement your necklace, there are a lot of different elements to consider when creating an outfit. One of the most overlooked yet crucial combinations in an outfit is rings and bracelets. Because rings and bracelets share the same space on your body, it’s even particularly important to pay attention to the nuances of constructing a unified look. After all, your outfit is often your first impression. So why not make it fabulous?

1)      Keep it Light

The key to wearing bracelets and rings is to keep it light. Avoid jewelry overload by being selective about your bracelets. Statement rings are bold and beautiful, and because of that they deserve to be the center of attention. Even beyond that, it’s important to allow them to be the center of attention. In other words, let your gemstone ring truly shine by choosing bracelets that are thin, subdued and complementary. Such choices will ensure that your hand and wrist don’t appear overwhelmed by accessories.

2)      Complementary Colors

Sometimes, matching is fun. Finding bracelets and rings that are exactly the same hue can be an enjoyable challenge. But for the most part, combining bracelets and rings is all about choosing hues that are surprisingly complementary. Some of the best combinations include: pink and yellow gold or turquoise with white gold. Don’t be afraid to experiment and create your own color combinations though.

3)      Different Hands

It can be fun to wear bracelets and rings on the same hand. In fact, the look can even feel edgy. However, in more conservative environments like offices or meetings, wearing rings and bracelets together may feel like too much. Or perhaps your style is more subdued. Either way, the good news is that utilizing both hands is an amazing option. Instead of wearing bracelets and rings on the same hand, opt for bracelets on one hand and rings on the other. By separating the jewelry items, the look is more conservative but still on trend. Although the pieces will be parted, it’s still crucial to create a cohesive look by choosing colors and styles that complement one another.

Whether it’s homemade cookies that are always a hit with your friends, or delightful interior decorating, we all want to be known for something. From talents to designs and work accolades to physical fitness, there is a certain pride that comes from being recognized. However, one of the best ways to gain recognition is with jewelry. By claiming a signature piece as your own, you’ll become known for your fashion sense and universal poise. In fact, you might even inspire a trend. To determine what your signature piece should be and how to implement it, read on.

1)      How Often

Determining how often you’ll wear a piece of jewelry is the first step in creating a signature look. If you plan on wearing a piece of jewelry less than three times a week, then it’s not a signature piece; it is merely yet another piece in your collection. Determining the number of times you’ll wear a piece of jewelry in any given week requires brutal honesty and a truthful evaluation of your lifestyle. Reporting to an office for five days a week will require a different signature piece than staying at home with the kids. Of course, personal style must be considered as well. Are you loud and bold, or quiet and understated? Different personalities require different gemstones.

2)      Style

Once you’ve determined how often you’ll wear a piece, it’s time to evaluate style. As a rule of thumb, signature jewelry pieces are often quite understated. Generally, this is because the piece is worn with great frequency. Because the piece is worn often, it’s critical to choose an item that is versatile and can work in any situation. But of course, personal preference is important as well.

3)      Fearless

Once you’ve established the right piece and correct style for your signature piece, it is time to wear the piece fearlessly. When creating a signature look, it’s important to remember that the jewelry is supposed to be worn frequently. Never feel like an “outfit repeater” when wearing your signature piece. You are a style visionary.