Photo by Unknown

I love interesting jewellery. I don’t own much unique clothing, so I tend to distinguish my style by wearing unique and interesting jewellery. Accessories can update any outfit, make it trendy, romantic, minimalistic or individualistic. I don’t feel complete without at least a necklace or earrings, I almost feel naked! My relationship with pretty jewellery goes way back, and my love has grown with my collection. I love collecting and adding treasures to my chest!

Where to buy

• Flea markets are great for buying unique jewellery. In particular, I seem to find a lot of pretty brooches and necklaces when I’m going through boxes of old stuff. I also love antique markets, but they tend to have prices in the upper end of the scale. Stay away from the items behind glass. They are almost always too valuable or over priced. I usually go for the boxes of random items, this is where the cheap treasures are! I almost never look for something of value when I go jewellery shopping, for me it’s all about the prettiness. Who cares how much your necklace is worth if it’s not pretty? Do look for quality though, silver (often marked 925 or 825) is my favorite. You can feel the quality by the item’s weight and the details in the seems.
• Trendy items are best bought in high street stores, as the trends and the items are not likely to last very long. I buy cheap earrings, bangles and necklaces that are trendy, but I never buy or wear a trend that I don’t like! I think jewellery should match your personality, not make you look like everyone else. By buying only what you love, it becomes less a trend and more a part of your style!
• If you are looking for a life-long personal item, these are generally best to receive as gifts! (I wish…) But who said you can’t buy yourself a little gift that can forever remind you of an accomplishment or a certain day? When buying such pieces, I recommend going for the classical stuff; gold, silver, pearls or even diamonds! I would also recommend to keep the style classical, as trends will change quickly. However, the best personal jewellery is the piece that is perfect to you. Just think it through, as items like these are often investments and not cheap! A good tip: you can get vintage jewellery engraved at most jewellers. How about making the jewellery even more personal by engraving a date, a name or your favorite word?
• Ebay and etsy are great sources to find unique pieces. Just make sure you study the photos and the information given before you buy! And remember to be safe and use paypal!
• I love buying jewellery when I’m abroad as I usually find something different than back home. Go to flea markets or buy souvenirs, it will remind you of where you bought it! I love shopping for jewellery in small individually owned stores. They tend to have individual brands and work by upcoming artists!
• Here are some of my favorite stores online: Roundabout Designs, Björg Jewellery, airfurfeathers, Pret a Portobello and Buddug!

How to wear

I believe it is with jewellery as it is with clothes. Something that looks good on one person might not necessarily look good on others. You have to figure out what works for you! I can tell; I look stupid with both earrings and a necklace. That’s just me, however, others look very neat when wearing both. Personally, I tend to go for the necklace+bracelet or earrings+bracelet combination for daytime, and I feel like I can put on more for evening. I also love to have multiple necklaces in a similar style or multiple bracelets (but always just on one hand). I always sense when I’m adding too much accessories, I feel that each piece is not getting the attention it deserves! Here are some general tips:

• Less is more. If you don’t usually wear jewellery, I’m sure you can agree with me here. Think about why you are putting each item on. Do they mean something to you? Does it make you look taller? Or more sophisticated? Or do your necklace just rock? Think about why you are wearing jewellery that particular day and you’ll often see that less is more. Unless you are using all your necklaces at once to look awesomely cool. Be yourself!
• Don’t mix silver with gold. I don’t really like this rule. I think silver and gold can look great together, at least with the right pieces. So the rule is; don’t follow the rule. Mix colors to your own liking, but do it consciously!
• be creative. Can’t find the right piece for you? Make it yourself! Creating jewellery is easy and a lot of fun! All you have to do is buy or gather small items of your desire, such as: coins with holes, nuts, paper, small figures, stones, leaves etc. All small items can do! How about miniature dolls house pianos or toy animals? You can also be creative with what you’ve already got, use a brooch as a necklace, a necklace as a bracelet etc. Or replace chains with ribbons or leather thread, only the imagination is the limit!

How to care

• Keep the chains apart to avoid tangling. There are so many ways to store jewellery! Hang them all up on the wall on a row, use a jewellery tree, or store them in a romantic treasure chest.
• Store silver in air-tight containers. Then you don’t have to clean before you can use!
• Clean and rinse regularly. Use silver or gold polish, but be careful if your jewellery is made of combinations such as silver and pearls. Silver polish can leave marks on pearls! Clean other materials with a little gentle soap and water.

Photo by Much Love

I’d love to get your feedback! What is your most treasured piece? How do you wear it? And what’s the name of that store you can’t resist?