The Six Kinds of Jewelry Every Woman Should Own

I was introduced to fine jewelry early in life, having been gifted with a charm bracelet with precious stones, and a turquoise ring by my parents when I was still in grade school—both of which I lost at different times while playing in a vacant lot at the back of my grandmother’s house.

When I graduated high school, I was gifted with a pearl set: earrings, pendant, charm bracelet, and a ring; the ring I lost while attending a friend’s party in college. It may have slipped my bony finger, or I may have left it on the sink of a McDonald’s washroom while washing my hands after eating fries with ketchup. Too old to be losing jewelry but I did, and when my parents asked me how I lost it, I told them I’m not quite sure how.

My early blogging days taught me to love fashion jewelry. The kind where you hoard a particular item in different colors to match either your clothes or your shoes. The kind of jewelry that you organize in small Megabox tabletop drawers, an acrylic box, and a repurposed shoe box covered in fancy paper to make your shelves look more streamlined. I had drawers brimming with baubles and just when I thought I already had enough, I’d buy more during my next mall visit. It sounds crazy now but to “Excessorize” was the thing back then.

Now that I’m in my mid-30s and have slowly started to embrace slow fashion, I have learned to thoughtfully purchase pieces that can last for years. With that, I have rekindled my love for fine jewelry—pieces that will last a lifetime. A move that my mom is most happy about, and if there is one thing I learned from my parents about jewelry, they transcend time and trends, and are investment pieces that can be passed down to my daughter’s daughter.

So if you’re slowly curating your jewelry box or just on the lookout for the next bargain buy what with today’s burgeoning jewelry business, these are the six classic jewelry pieces that I think every woman should have in her little treasure box.

Pearls

“Pearls are always appropriate” as Jackie Kennedy would put it, and it’s true. Pearls complement different styles and whether it’s corporate, smart casual, or a fun weekend at the beach kind of occasion, pearls can add that instant polish to your outfit. If the quintessential LBD (Little Black Dress) is a classic wardrobe staple, it’s safe to say that pearls are the quintessential feminine accessory too.

Stud Earrings

Stud earrings, be it pearls or diamonds, are without a doubt the easiest piece of jewelry you can work around in, style-wise. They go well with everything and can be worn no matter the occasion—from Sunday brunch with friends to a client meeting on a Monday, they are one-piece wonders that can instantly add sparkle to your face. They are your best bets for ear stacking too, if you’re looking into adorning your lobes with another stud or two.

Hoop Earrings

As classic and chic as the studs but with a little more attitude. From solid gold hoops for everyday wear, to oversized diamond encrusted hoops for after dark looks, or even a fun and flirty colorful medium sized stunner for Summer afternoon dates, hoop earrings are versatile, and indisputably an indispensable piece of jewelry in your collection. The seemingly popular “Huggies” or “Huggers” now are perfect for everyday wear too if you want subtle understated elegance. They’re chic enough for ear stacking but also cute enough to be worn by your mini-me’s!

Stacking Rings

When the need to accessorize arises, stacking rings are the best way to do it. They are stand-alone pieces that when worn accordingly, are the only ones you need to elevate any ensemble. While this style may take some getting used to for you to find the perfect stacking look, achieving so will help you ace the stacking game from just thin delicate rings to the more elaborate gem-encrusted statement pieces.

There’s no definite number of rings for the perfect stack but should you start building your own (just as I have started building mine), a little advice would be to make sure it represents something meaningful in your life. Add rings to mark milestones like your own birth stories to grow your collection. That said, I’m taking my own advice now and adding another eternity to my stack.

Pendant Necklace

Pendant necklace is another everyday jewelry that is easy to wear. Not only is it easy, it can also be meaningful as you can wear a piece that has sentimental value to you. All of my daughters’ necklaces are from my parents, they made it a point to always be the first ones to buy their grandchildren their first necklaces. Similarly, I wear a cross pendant that is in some way similar to that of my husband’s. Twinning but not really. The good thing about pendant necklaces is you don’t have to wear just one. With the necklace layering trend making a comeback, a layer of thin wispy chains give off that dainty elegant vibe; the kind of “Neck Mess” that you can definitely wear everyday without looking overdone.

Classic Watch

On days when metals don’t seem to work well with your skin (or am I the only one having those kinds of days?) a universally flattering round dial watch is all you need to complete your look. For dressier styles, mesh straps in gold, rose gold, or silver is a good choice but always take into consideration how the metal color will look against your skin.

Jewelry is a great way to celebrate life’s special moments. They not only make you look polished, they also serve as reminders for the good things that have happened in your life. Some of mine are hand me downs from my mom, some were their milestone gifts, while most are gifted by my husband. Each of them has a story, something that I can share and pass down to my daughters when they’re all a bit older— a family heirloom that I hope they’ll treasure just as I have treasured mine.