Investing In Your Jewelry
A good piece of jewelry will last you a season. An exceptional piece of jewelry will last you a lifetime.
That’s the approach that I take when I am creating a collection for Cire’ Alexandria. As I’m melting and shaping, soldering and hammering, I think to myself: someone will be able to feel beautiful in this piece for years to come.
I believe in the idea that jewelry is an investment, a worthwhile purchase that can be passed down for generations - if chosen correctly.
Heirloom jewelry holds a special place in my heart (I fell in love with this art at 7 years old when I “borrowed” a pair of my mom’s giant silver hoop earrings), and now I’m passing on my criteria for starting your own collection of investment pieces.
What to Look for When Choosing an Investment Piece
What type of jewelry do you wear most often?
It may sound simple, but the first thing you want to consider when weighing the pros and cons of an investment piece is whether or not you’ll be able to wear it often. If you reach for a pair of statement earrings whenever you want to add dimension to your look, then a large cocktail ring may not be the right option - at least as far as investment pieces go. When you want to purchase something truly special, something that can become a defining feature of your style, you want to go for a piece that reflects your preferences, not a spontaneous purchase.
Trendy or classic?
No rules here: an investment piece can be both. I think back to those iconic gold pieces of the 70s and consider them heirloom works of art, while placing a pearl stud earrings in the same category. The key to choosing a piece that will live on in your collection for decades is determining whether or not you feel an instinctual connection to it. Does it take your breath away? Does it tell your story in a way that you can’t seem to put into words? Let your intuition guide you here.
Look for high quality materials
Jewelry is a classic choice for those with impulsive shopping habits. It’s beautiful, shiny (we all have a bit of magpie in us), and luxe enough to feel like a guilty pleasure. However, not all jewelry is created equal. For an investment piece, you’ll want to look for options created from materials that are rooted in nature: solid gold, sterling silver, gold fill, natural stones, solid brass, and or bronze. When you can be certain that the starting materials are high quality, and that a talented maker took the time to forge a one of a kind work of art, you’ll know that you’re adding a lifelong piece to your collection. (We’ll be posting on the difference of Gold Fill VS Gold Plated.. stay tuned).
Price isn’t the only factor
Just because a piece of jewelry is expensive, doesn’t mean that it will last forever, and vice versa. Some of my favorite pieces have been found during one of my signature thrifting trips, hidden among other priceless treasures. To me, the value of a piece lies in my connection to it, the piece of my heart that is telling me there is a story here, something worth exploring.
As you’re building your jewelry collection, remember these quick tips for determining whether a piece has the potential to be a lifelong investment, or if it’s just a flash in the pan. Jewelry has the power to convey emotion, to share a fragment of your soul with those around you - allow yourself to feel the magic of that choice, and follow your gut feeling with full force.