We all know that every wardrobe needs a good jewelry collection. It’s the best way to dress up a casual outfit or give a neutral outfit some pizazz. But the high-end pieces we see in the media often come with price tags that rival our rent payment.
Fun Fact: Looking like a million bucks doesn’t actually have to break the bank.
We’ve pulled together five simple tips to creating a jewelry collection you can use daily to create whole new looks with your old clothes. Bonus – none of these feature prices with triple digits.
So skip the reimagined vintage look for the real deal by hitting up local thrift stores, pawn shops, estate sales and even local online listings. For online shoppers, Craigslist and the Facebook Marketplace are great places to start looking for jewelry with some history to it. Best of all you can usually negotiate on price and pick it up the same day.
1. Shop Around
One of the biggest ways you can save money and score amazing deals on jewelry is by simply shopping around. That’s right – the same thing you do for electronics and high-priced items can save you money on simple, everyday things like jewelry. When shopping around for jewelry don’t be taken in by simply the lowest price. Remember: We want nice, high-quality jewelry that can be worn often, kept for years and still within a reasonable budget. Here are a few things to look out for when shopping around for a good piece of jewelry within your budget:- Metal Quality and Type – For some people, metal type is all about avoiding an allergy, but even if you don’t have an allergy issue metal type is important. While nickel is inexpensive, it is also the metal that gives most people trouble. Brass pieces are also popular and easy to get at a great price, but they can turn your skin green. Avoid the hassle and opt for stainless or surgical steel or 14k gold.
- Workmanship – Check out close up pictures of each piece when buying online and if you’re buying in person, examine the pieces closely. Check the setting to be sure any stones are firmly in place and look along the rest to make sure the metal color isn’t changing (that signifies plating that’s wearing off) and overall structural integrity.
- Guarantees – Ideally, any piece you buy should come with a lifetime guarantee but, let’s face it, that isn’t always an option in the Real World. Still, you should ensure that when buying a new piece of jewelry that there is some kind of guarantee in place.
- Versatility – Checking out an amazing piece of jewelry? Consider how many ways you can use it with your wardrobe. A statement piece can be great, but when you are trying to build a jewelry wardrobe, it’s important to choose pieces that can be worn with multiple outfits and in various settings. This doesn’t mean you can’t find great statement pieces – they simply need to be at least a little versatile.
2. Explore Brilliant Colors
Branch out and explore different gemstones that provide brilliant color. Opals, sapphires, tsavorite and emeralds are all great options. These gemstones provide brilliant, dazzling color without a massive price tag.
Stunning - and colorful - Solitaire Opal pendant from Anderson Beattie
Sparkling Rainbow Sapphire bracelet from etsy
3. Demolish the Diamond Demand
Look, let me be frank here – diamonds aren’t all that. Not only are their prices artificially inflated, they’re almost always linked to some sort of unsavory mining or business practice. Forget diamonds once and for all by investing in other stones that glitter more, shine brighter and simply pop better. A gem's brilliance is measured on the Mohs scale. On this scale, diamonds are a 10. So, if you're looking for something as dazzling as diamonds, check out these amazing alternatives:- Amethyst (Mohs Scale - 7)
- Sapphire (Mohs Scale - 9)
- Emerald (Mohs Scale - 7.5 to 8)
- Morganite (Mohs Scale - 8 to 9)
- Garnet (Mohs Scale - 6.5 to 7.5)
- Moissanite (Mohs Scale - 9.5)
- Tourmaline (Mohs Scale - 7.5)
- Topaz (Mohs Scale - 8)
- Ruby (Mohs Scale - 9)
- Peridot (Mohs Scale - 7)
- Aquamarine (Mohs Scale - 7.5 to 8)
- Tsavorite (Mohs Scale - 7.5 to 8)
- Tanzanite (Mohs Scale - 6.5 to 7)
4. Vintage, Baby!
There are plenty of high-end designers flogging pieces they call ‘vintage’ or ‘retro’ in their descriptions before they hit you with that massive price tag. You know what those words mean, though? Just old. That’s it. But let’s be clear – old doesn’t mean bad. Finding a vintage ring offers you a way to find a piece that you won’t see everywhere else. It also means finding something with a bit of history. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll find something through a seller who can tell you the history of the ring, necklace or bracelet. Wondering if having an antique ring is worth the search? Look no further than actress Olivia Wilde. Known best for her roles on House, The O.C. and Tron: Legacy, sports an antique engagement ring given to her by Jason Sudeikis back in 2013. She doesn't know much about the ring but, for her, that's part of the allure of the vintage piece. "All they know is that it went through Paris around 1921," Wilde said in an interview, "I love imagining the story of this ring. Who had it?"
So skip the reimagined vintage look for the real deal by hitting up local thrift stores, pawn shops, estate sales and even local online listings. For online shoppers, Craigslist and the Facebook Marketplace are great places to start looking for jewelry with some history to it. Best of all you can usually negotiate on price and pick it up the same day.