How to Add to Your Jewelry Collection

I've been flipping through some of the fashion industry websites as they follow the Spring 2007 runway shows across North America and Europe (they're currently in Milan), and have to chuckle at some of the reviews. While a few of the designers get kudos for having "vision" with their new and different looks, many more get rave reviews for digging in their archives to reinterpret classic silhouettes. No surprise there. Classics go the distance while trends get tossed aside like yesterday's news. If you keep that in mind when shopping for clothing or accessories, your wardrobe will be better for it - regardless of the season.

Speaking of classics, the business-builder report I mentioned last week, "Maximum Prof.its in Minimum Time," is being snapped up right and left by savvy business women all over the globe. I extended a special offer to the first 150 people to grab it, and I think I have 47 or 48 left at the moment. The special pric.ing ends at 6 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, September 30th - if I still have any left by then, that is.

So what's on tap for today's article? A look at how to add to your jewelry collection.

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I have a weakness for unusual pins. I've been collecting them since I was a teen and still wear some of my older ones to this day. In fact, one of my favorites, a little giraffe about 2 inches tall, was given to me by my "Secret Santa" way back in third grade. It's seen better days, but it's whimsical enough to still draw comments whenever I pin it on. That's why I still wear it sometimes.

You probably have certain jewelry pieces that draw comment whenever you wear them as well. Earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, or whatever, you probably have a few pieces that you love to wear because they get you noticed or make you feel good.

On the other hand, you may have a few "duds" in your jewelry box, too. Those gifts that "missed by a mile" or those "what was I thinking?" pieces that do nothing but collect dust. How do create a go-anywhere jewelry collection without getting a few more "duds" in the process?

Like your clothing wardrobe, your jewelry wardrobe can be maximized so that a little does a lot. If you select carefully, a few great pieces can help create a variety of looks to polish your ensembles and define your style.

Set aside some time to go through your jewelry box. Pull those pieces you don't wear and give them to someone else. Have broken items repaired. If you have expensive fine jewelry -- heirlooms perhaps -- that you don't wear, see if you can have them redesigned to suit your needs. If that doesn't appeal to you, sell them via your jeweler, a local auction house, or even eBay.com. If you're not wearing them it only makes sense to get them out of inventory to make room for something you do wear.

Once you've gone through your box, look at the things you DO wear on a regular basis. Why do you wear them? What do they have in common? Are they of similar color? Shape? Size? What? Once you can identify why those pieces appeal to you, you'll know what to look for when adding to your collection in the future.

Put your pieces back in your jewelry box in a way that makes sense to you. Put all the pins together, all the rings together, all the bracelets together, etc. This may be in your jewelry box or in some other container that meets your needs. I've seen women use utensil drawer trays, divider boxes, and even pill boxes to separate and hold pins and earrings. These are generally okay for inexpensive costume pieces so long as they're not jumbled together, but felt or velvet-lined boxes are best for fine and bridge jewelry so that pieces don't get scratched or marred. Whatever you put your jewelry in, make sure you can get to it easily. If it's hard to access or out of sight, it won't get worn.

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If you regularly find yourself looking in the mirror at an ensemble and thinking, "This would look really cute with a chunky necklace" (dangly earrings, sparkling bracelet, or whatever,) then those are the pieces you should get first. Make a list. Put a star by the pieces that you might wear the most.

When you're ready to acquire new pieces, do so thoughtfully. If you use clothing capsules or have a predominant color scheme in your wardrobe, select pieces that work well with them. Always keep the rules of proportion in mind so that you don't buy things that over or under-whelm your body. If you'll be splurging on expensive fine pieces, like diamond earrings or a string of pearls, opt for classic styles and lengths. You'll get more wear out of them than trendy pieces.

Ice.com

If your wish list is bigger than your budget, move some of those items to your holiday, birthday, or anniversary wish list - with pictures, if possible. While some gift-givers do beautifully on their own, others - while generous - may need more direction. Give them pictures, store name, even sales person's name, if applicable, so that you end up with what you want. That way, everyone's happy.

Adding to your jewelry collection is a lot like adding to your clothing wardrobe: see what you have, see what you need, and get rid of things you don't wear any more. Getting organized will allow you to do this. And who knows? Once you get in there and look around, you may find that you have more than you thought and don't need to anything at all - except to wear what's in there more often!

Need more tips on adding to your jewelry collection? Download a copy of ACCESSORY MAGIC

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to see how you can use jewelry to define your style and stretch your budget.