Tips to building the ultimate jewelry collection

Building a jewelry collection is much like building your clothing collection. We all have those key pieces that we wear season after season and of course, there are those trendy pieces that after one season you wonder why you even bothered. Costume jewelry is much like those trendy pieces – meant to accentuate your staple pieces. Depending on your budget, you can spend a lot or a little on trendy jewelry but those staples that you will wear year after year is where you should spend the bulk of your money. When shopping for jewelry it can become overwhelming especially if you have champagne taste with a diet coke budget or if you are hard to please (like me).

The first thing you should consider is your style. Some people can't live without diamonds while others prefer colorful gem stones. In order to spend wisely, you should take some time browsing jewelry websites and visiting jewelry stores to figure out what you like and what will work with your wardrobe. If you are a mom with small children, you probably won't want to invest in many earrings that dangle because little eyes and fingers seem compelled to reach out and grab.

The next thing you have to consider is your budget. Regardless of how much money you have to spend, you should invest in the highest quality pieces that your budget allows. It may take some time to build up your collection but as you find pieces that fit your personality and that you love, you will be glad that you invested the time and money.

I have spent three years (yes, three years) looking for the perfect watch. I have an idea in my head of what it looks like but I have yet to see it – or at least one that fits my budget. There are plenty of watches for you to choose from and its okay to have several but you should invest in one timepiece that can be worn day or night, dressed up or down and when you look at it, you feel a sense of pride knowing that you've made a wise investment. Hopefully, it won't take you three years to find it. A good watch is not only used to tell time but it says a lot about your personality. You would be surprised how often people make judgments of others based on the look and quality of their watch.

In our society, the majority of women have pierced ears and some women have multiple piercings. I have two piercings and invested in two sets of diamond studs because I believe 'diamonds are girl's best friend.' They have screw backs so I don't have to worry about losing them and I only take them off to clean them. I have a two year old son whose little fingers can't resist touching them but I don't have to worry about the pain of them being yanked from my ears. Some people prefer the classic look of pearls while others change their earrings everyday to match their outfits. No matter where you fit on that spectrum, you should invest in one pair of earrings that will be a signature of your personal style.

There are millions of rings to choose from and they are probably the most reflective of your personal style because they are one of the first pieces that people will notice when they see you. Aside from a bridal set, the finger placement as well as size and style of a ring can indicate your relationship status as well as whether you are trendy or conservative. A few years ago, women started wearing 'right hand rings' as a symbol of their independence. The theory was that a woman should not have to wait until she got engaged to wear an expensive finger piece. Another popular ring is the cocktail ring. Generally, a cocktail ring features a large, colorful gemstone and can be worn on any finger. Traditionally, this ring was reserved for evenings but women are now wearing them during the day. Whatever style you choose – and you may have many – it should be a reflection of who you are.

Finally, necklaces and bracelets should round out your collection. I list them last because it is easiest to find costume necklaces and bracelets yet more difficult and expensive to find quality pieces. Necklaces, especially when worn with a pendant, will also make a significant statement about your personality. There are many styles to choose from – crosses for religious purposes, birthstones to alert people which month you expect a gift, or your initial to help people remember your name. When investing in a quality piece, you must consider what types of tops you were most often. For instance, if you prefer wearing collared shirts then a short necklace without a pendant will be more fitting while ladies wearing more v neck tops should opt for a longer necklace or one with a unique pendant to enhance their neckline. Since variety is the spice of life, consider investing in a unique chain and build up a collection of pendants.