Article fashion jewelry

Just as every woman needs a pair—or twenty—of jeans
a few pairs of black shoes (at the very least: ballet flats
thongs
kitten heels and stilettos)
a cocktail dress
a few basic skirts
a chic business suit
a cardigan sweater…I could go on but you get my point. Just as every woman needs these fashion staples
she needs a few jewelry basics—seven actually—with which to accessorize her outfits.

Like a custom paint job on a sleek Harley
accessories personalize your style and tell the world that you care enough to go the extra mile for appearance’s sake. And we all know that appearance counts. Within the first three seconds of taking you in
people make judgments about you that you usually cannot reverse. So why not make a good first impression with a look that is polished
put together
and says that you pay attention to style and detail? Still with me? Good. Here are seven jewelry staples no well-dressed woman should be without. Choose any one of them to accessorize in a snap
and to ensure that snap judgments made about you reflect who you really are.

Diamond studs Anyone can pull off this classic accessory. Diamond studs are elegant
timeless and simple enough to be worn with other jewelry and any style of hair or dress. Look for clear
sparkling gems with at least ฝ carat total weight
set in white gold or platinum (not yellow gold) to show off their colorlessness. As for shape
round studs will always be in style
but princess cut styles are popular—and classic too. Look for screw backs to help ensure that you won’t lose your investment
and make sure the setting is secure (I prefer four prongs to three).

Be warned that quality diamond studs can be pricey. Blue Nile.com has a beautiful pair of ฝ carat tw diamond studs with screw backs for $600; Tiffany & Co. sells a beautiful pair of .22 total carat weight diamonds set it platinum for $875. Can’t afford these beauties? My sparkly CZ look-alikes get the job done
and cost under $40. And I don’t have to worry about losing—or insuring them.

Pearl studs Like diamond studs
pearl studs can be worn with every style of dress
and with all types of jewelry. Unlike diamond studs
pearl studs are surprisingly affordable
especially when you choose freshwater pearls
which today can rival the beauty of their saltwater cousins. Look for round white gems that are well-matched; these are classics and won’t go out of style. Beware of purchasing button-shaped (flattened) pearls when you think you’re getting round. Choose a back that is comfortable
secure and comprised of a metal your skin can tolerate
such as white gold
yellow gold or platinum.

When wearing pearls
keep in mind that the gems are typically associated with a demure
ladylike reputation
so they’re perfect for a job interview
wedding or other formal setting. Of course
classic pearls are perfect for daytime and casual events as well
and give the wearer a timeless
feminine look that is very polished.

When buying pearl studs
choose akoya cultured pearls or their far more affordable freshwater counterparts
which are just as beautiful. For the best look
choose pearls that are 6mm or greater in size. JR Dunn sells Mikimoto akoya cultured pearls in 6mm round white for $340; MoonRiverPearls.com sells round white freshwater cultured pearls in 7mm for $38.

Dangle earrings I love dangles for their drama
and because their typical hook backs make them easy to get on and off. But many dangles aren’t for everyday; they’ll look out of place with shorts and a tank
for example. If you’re going a bit more formal
though
you have many options with this earring style. Keep in mind that if you want your dangle earrings to become a jewelry staple
look for a classic
elegant design in a neutral color
such as an all metal style or one that ends in a cultured pearl
for example. For your staple piece
don’t choose anything trendy or cute; steer clear of hearts
stars
zodiac signs and skulls. (If you want to go trendy that’s fine
just buy something inexpensive.) As for what to choose
I prefer a dangle that hangs an inch or two below the earlobe to really make a statement. White gold and yellow gold bars
chains or chandeliers are timeless favorites. Of course
hairstyle and wardrobe will play a role here too. If your hair is very long you can get away with more dramatic—and longer—styles. Remember
though
if you wear a dramatic earring it’s best to skip the necklace and let the earrings speak for themselves.

Silver or gold hoop earrings Several styles of hoop earrings can be considered jewelry staples
from small diamond-encrusted loops to gargantuan
J.Lo-style hoops. It all depends on what you like
so choose hoops that fit your personality. Keep in mind
though
that oversize hoops can overpower short hair
an updo
or a face with small features
so take in the overall picture before you step out. Small gold
silver
diamond
pearl or CZ hoops go with everything and are always in style. Look for hoop earrings with a back that’s easy to fasten and won’t readily bend or fall out. And don’t wear gigantic hoops to a job interview or other professional setting
unless you work at Vogue.

Diamond solitaire pendant There’s not enough room here to write about the five Cs of diamond quality
but
if you’re interested
there are a ton of sites out there where you can read about how to choose a diamond. As for the pendant
a single bezel set diamond on a white gold chain looks amazing
crisp and classic. Choose an 18-inch length with a secure clasp (I prefer lobster claw here) and make sure the chain is sturdy
yet thin and unobtrusive. It’s the diamond that you want to showcase here
not the chain. As with studs
you can get a gorgeous solitaire pendant made with a CZ
or
for a twist
try a pearl.

Pearl strand When choosing a classic pearl strand
look for an 18-inch princess length in a classic creamy white. This length is very versatile
and the color is timeless. Both akoya cultured pearls and freshwater cultured pearls fit the bill
although akoyas will be more expensive. Other factors to keep in mind: pearl size counts. After the 7.5-8.0 mm mark
prices rise dramatically
but a 6.5mm strand is lovely and affordable. Look at luster and surface. Pearls should have a high luster
or surface sheen
meaning they reflect light well. They should also be free from obvious blemishes. Pay attention to uniformity. Make sure the pearls are the same size
the same color and have a uniform luster—the warm glow that appears to come from within the pearl. To check that the pearls are uniformly round
roll the strand on a table. Matched pearls will roll smoothly.

So you think pearl strands are too Barbara Bush? A Tin Cup necklace
where the pearls are evenly spaced on a chain
is a gorgeous alternative.

A Classic Timepiece Lots of options here
but if you’re going to choose just one watch it has to be classic
functional and stylish. I like a water-resistant oversize sterling silver watch or a classic tank watch
both of which will look good with everything except formalwear (then you can tuck it in your clutch). A stainless steel band will wear better than leather
and is usually water-resistant
but try it on in case it feels too heavy or overwhelms your wrist. Stick with a classic white or muted watch face with numbers that are easy to read. (Bold colors are pretty
but distracting.) A glow-in-the-dark face is a plus. As for brands
Swiss Army has some great styles that wear well and don’t break the bank. If you have the means
a Tag Heuer or Rolex is always nice too.

When you have your seven basic jewelry staples
it’s time to play. There are so many other classics you can add to your jewelry box if you’re so inclined. A diamond tennis bracelet
a beautiful Tahitian pearl bracelet
an oversize pearl cocktail ring
or a signature piece in your birthstone all look terrific. Depending on your style personality and budget
you can choose plenty of other extras to keep up with fashion trends
but keep these on the inexpensive side as they likely won’t stand the test of time. For a statement-making piece
choose an oversize cocktail ring in a bold color. Or
if you like today’s layered look
pick several chain necklaces in your favorite metal in varying lengths
and layer them with pearl strands or oversized turquoise
wood or mother-of-pearl beaded necklaces. Wide wood
mother-of-pearl or metal cuffs always look terrific
and stackable bangles
especially personalized charm bracelets
are always fun. (Do spend more on charm bracelets
as you’ll probably hang on to these.)

Still stuck on what to wear? You can always go with my favorite and most valued piece of jewelry: a handcrafted
hand painted macaroni necklace made for me by my four-year-old son.