The 8 Pieces Of Fine Jewelry To Wear Every Day
A chic capsule of cool and contemporary jewelry will make getting dressed a cinch. Here, fashion and fine-jewelry tastemakers share their go-to picks and styling hacks
A gold chain, says Danielle Miele
“Vintage gold chains are a staple of mine – I scan the vast variety of link styles to find my favorites. My top link choices are a mini figaro, a mariner link and an antique pocket-watch chain, as I tend to gravitate towards the more unisex styles. We’re all familiar with layering gold chains, but lately I’ve been wearing one standout design and making it my hero piece by adding a striking pendant or a jumble of charms. For me, 18- or 20-inch chains are the ideal lengths.” @gemgossip, fine-jewelry collector and content creator
A pinky ring, says Sarah Royce-Greensill
“Pinky rings have evolved from signifying social status to a playful expression of personal style, and there are plenty of jewelers who have fun subverting the traditionally masculine style. There’s something quite powerful about a pinky ring that you’ve chosen or bought for yourself. I find it works best worn casually – it adds interest to the plainest off-duty outfit and always grabs attention. I aspire to one day wear a diamond solitaire on my pinky.” @srgjewel, editor and consultant
Diamond studs, says Mirta de Gisbert
“Diamond studs are a must-have in any fine-jewelry collection. From a gemological perspective, they are the hardest stones on the Mohs scale – which is used to determine a gemstone’s durability – allowing you to wear them every day without worrying (always check the backs are securely on), but also making them heirloom pieces that can be passed down. I wear mine all the time; I’m a big believer in if you own a piece of jewelry, wear it! Don’t wait for special occasions.” @mirtadegisbert, gemologist, curator and stylist
Hoop earrings, says Libby Page
“Hoop earrings are a perennial favorite of mine – I wear a simple edit of fine, yellow-gold hoops that work with any outfit and feel barely-there. The devil is in the detail; there are so many subtle variations of silhouette, stone setting and artisanry – having a concise capsule of hoops that you can switch up is perfect for those who want a no-muss, no-fuss approach to ear styling. If you have multiple piercings, like me, start with the largest hoop at the bottom and gradually reduce the size as they ascend the ear.” @libbyjanepage, NET-A-PORTER’s market director
A tennis bracelet, says Tanya Dukes
“Tennis bracelets are staples because they are virtually trend-proof – choose the right one and you’ll be wearing it for decades. My preferred way to style a sleek strand of diamonds is to wear the preciousness of its stones lightly, incorporating them into a stack with my watch and a few more bracelets. The virtue of tennis bracelets is that they don’t have to be the center of attention to score style points. If tennis stars can wear slinky diamond-line bracelets while winning Grand Slam titles, where can’t the tennis bracelet go?” @tanyadukes, writer and editor
A set of stacking rings, says Ashley Davis
“The beauty of stacking rings is their versatility. For low-key office days, I might wear one ring as part of a tried-and-true uniform consisting of a button-down shirt, straight-leg jeans and ballet flats. When I want to dress to impress – say, for a lunch with business associates or any type of evening event – I’ll add more rings to the stack for a bolder feel. Few other accessories are as versatile. The multiple styling possibilities of a set of stacking rings also prevent the inevitable burnout that can come with wearing your favorite pieces over and over again.” @ashleylikesgems, consultant
Silver earrings, says Chloe Street
“After years of everyone wearing yellow gold, I’m really into chunky, minimal silver designs as a fresh alternative. Bottega Veneta’s sculptural, teardrop-shaped orb earrings have become a fashion-set favorite – they’re the perfect way to add impact while maintaining a minimal aesthetic. I also have the ‘Esther’ silver hoops from Danish label Lié Studio, which add a perfect silvery shine to everyday looks; plus, you can detach the second hoop charm for a more pared-back vibe.” @streetchloe, fashion editor
A stack of bangles, says Misha Daud
“Bangles bring a wrist to life – you can’t miss them. If you stack them as plentifully as I like to (tastefully, of course), then they make themselves felt, seen and heard. Don’t be shy about wearing bangles with watches, either – they are the perfect complement to any timepiece. I never leave home without stacking them high – think diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds.” @watchfashionista, co-founder of the Luxury Unedited podcast