Research.
If you’re not sure where or how to begin in order to find all these glorious, eclectic, insider style picks then Google the great designers: Belperron or Boivin for Art Deco. Jean Després if you’re a Machine Age fan. Or Grima if you’re into the 70s. They were and are the Gods. Have a peek at Louisa Guiness Gallery, where every piece of jewellery is created by an artist of immense caliber. Pol Bury, for example. And if you want current - sublime and quirky - Suzanne Syz. Hemmerle is exquisite; purity perfectly formed, and Jar will blow your mind, particularly if you notice how much his work fetches at auction. These guys will show you how it’s done. Let them inspire you. And once you get the idea, be on the lookout for contemporary designs that don’t cost the earth but are oozing character. The high street really does do good ‘bold’. Accessorize never fails if you look carefully, and I’ve recently bought great hoops, both plastic and fabric, from Oliver Bonus. Scour Etsy regularly. And don’t forget that there are a thousand credible, cool brands with affordable price points these days, such as Tilly Sveaas Jewellery (tillysveaas on Instagram).
Shake it up!
As a final sign off, I’ve got two little slogans for you. ‘If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got’. Change the way you approach jewellery. Give it your attention. Spring clean your jewellery box with as much objectivity as you can muster. Look up jewellery experts on Instagram and see what they have to say. I love Beanie Major at InDetail, she always has great finds and she’s extremely experienced and approachable. I recommend following Pipsdurell, who has an excellent eye - and creates perfect shirts as a bonus. And, last but not least, ‘If you want what they’ve got, then do what they do’. Pick someone whom you think always has great jewellery. And take a few tips. Work out what you like about her/his look. Don’t copy the exact choices, but take in what makes what they do work and come up with your own, personal version. I believe style is about using clothes and accessories and hair-style and smell to make a statement about who you are and how you feel. And if you can do that, if you find your authentic style, it frees you from worrying about the opinions of others. And that, I think, is something we should all be aiming for, with or without great jewellery.
Oversized Sterling Silver earrings designed by Regitz Overguaard for Georg Jensen c.1970 £750 www.grasilver.com
Yellow gold and diamond ringby Andrew Grima, 1977. POA www.grimajewellery.com
The Jazzy, Brass bracelet plated in 14k yellow gold set with white sapphire £850 www.beazie.com
Givenchey Vintage charm necklace £465 www.jennifergibsonjewellery.com
Pol Bury 1968 18k gold. POA Louisa Guinness Gallery
Belperron Spiral Torque Necklace £36,100 Belperron.com www.belperron.com