Help me update my jewellery game please

[Alittlemorebling]

I’m mid 50s and trying to make an effort to update my clothes in general. I’ve been watching a few stylists who seem to work with middle aged clients and it’s clear that some decent jewellery does lift an outfit.

i’d like to buy a few things, maybe a couple of necklaces suitable for layering, and a bracket or two. I tend to stick with wearing the same gold necklace and generally forget to add anything else so want to make more of an effort.

i’d say my budget is in the range of places like Monica Vinader/Missoma/Astrid & Miyu but are these brands any good? I’ll be visiting London soon so will have an opportunity to have a look rather than just ordering online.

I know some people will always suggest looking at vintage and second hand shops but i don’t really have either the time or confidence to know what I’d be looking for.

thanks for any advice.

Interesting question!

Yes, jewellery should lift an outfit, but I’m inclined to think that if you’re wearing exactly the same jewellery as everyone else who’s watched the same insta / YouTube videos you’re hardly going to look distinct. Or distinguished.

I have to say it would never occur to me to look at any of the brands you mention. To me they’re just filling up counter space in department stores. Not that jewellery has to be expensive to make an impact, of course. But I guess what I’m saying is that, regardless of fashion (and I care a lot about fashionable clothes) I’d rather spend a jewellery budget on things that have some individuality and will lend me presence.

DSM is always worth browsing for inspiration:

https://shop.doverstreetmarket.com/collections/dsm-jewellery-space?page=4

Phoebe Philo’s tiny jewellery collection is both hilarious and weirdly desirable:

https://www.phoebephilo.com/en_gb/accessories

Whitebird is hopelessly time consuming but an incredible resource for finding out about serious jewellery designers you’re unaware of:

https://www.whitebirdjewellery.com/en-gb/designers

Tiny, bejewelled bump …

I definitely can’t be the only person here interested in jewellery!

Brands like Monica Vinader get recommended a lot on here, because it is pretty. But in all honesty I think it's overpriced costume jewellery (not solid gold - calling it vermeil just means posh gold plated imo) that loads of people have, so it doesn't say anything about you - it's not individual at all. You may or may not care about that and may be happy to spend less than solid gold costs, for something that won't last forever.
I think you should take your time to work out what you genuinely like and then invest in this, if you are looking to buy something you will wear every day, forever.

John Garland Taylor is excellent , really good quality. I always ask for Xmas presents from there as I'd be happy with anything.

I have had a couple of gifts from Monika Vinader and while I absolutely love them as they are sentimental gifts the comparison is pretty poor compared to JGT, very expensive for what you get.

Jeremy Heber is fantastic, I have more than a few of his pieces,again , excellent quality.

I've also had a lot of success on Vinted recently, managed to buy some nice Kit Heather silver pieces.

Thank you for all the suggestions everyone and all the suggestions. It’s what I need really as I don’t really know where to start.

@CapaciousHag some of the pieces you have linked to are gorgeous but beyond my budget I’m afraid. Maybe if I have a lottery win!

i’m not sure if I’m after something to wear every day as this is what I do now with the items I have. I’m more after something to wear at weekends/lunches out etc just to make me feel a bit smarter and less frumpy.

I always admire people who can use jewellery in a very individual way, but that’s just not me. Also, I’m quite short and whilst I’m of medium build I do have quite ‘fine’ facial features so anything too chunky just overwhelms me. I can’t do big bold glasses for example and anything too big around my neck looks odd on me.

I completely agree with this. The names you listed are just mass market brands (usually made in a factory overseas) and massively overpriced. You'd be better looking at more niche jewellery designer-makers where you will get more for your money and that are more distinct (and stylish in my opinion) and usually handmade by them in their studio.

I have a lot of jewellery (bought over the years) and the pieces I wear the most are all ones that I have an emotional connection with (i.e. there's a story behind where and/or why I bought it).

Edit: As a starting point @Alittlemorebling have a look at Cara Tonkin's sale page where she sells archive pieces at heavily discounted prices.

www.caratonkin.com/sale

All her work is designed and handmade by her and excellent quality - I met her years ago at an event in Hatton Garden (hosted by a jeweller friend of mine) to celebrate a Young Designer of the Year award that she won. Her page might give you an idea of what you like/don't like. She's not 'out there' but she's not bland samey-samey like Monica Vinader and co. Happy to recommend other designers but they will be over your budget in most cases.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor I have my eye on a Jeremy Heber ring atm. Really don't need it and can't honestly justify buying it when I need to do so much work on my house and garden but I so want it!

Oooo which one? I have a few of the rings and they're just fantastic.

You will find that lots of independent jewellers will make you a solid gold version of the same type of designs as these high street shops but aren't actually that much more expensive. I have a jeweller who makes the same designs as Tiffany's diamonds by the yard and other similar stuff for not much more than the price of places like monica vinader and Astley Clarke. Real gold, real diamonds or gem stones. The difference is he doesn't have a fancy shop just a back street office and no huge branding and advertising budget to cover.

Try and decide what kind of thing you'd like, you might be able to get a real version for much less than you think making it a better long term purchase.

would any of these appeal?

https://zsiska.com/pages/zsiska-fall-winter-2024

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor it's this one

Very nice, I think you should go for it, it will make you very happy 😊

I know I'll give in and buy it eventually 😊

Sooner rather than later, you can't put a price on happiness 😉

Interesting thread. I bought a ring from a local-ish jewellery designer in the last year (they commissioned it for me). I wear it everyday on my right hand and I absolutely love it. It was from:

www.b-jewellery.co.uk/jewellery

Also have recently found this - have had beaded stuff from them in the past (they used to be stocked in John Lewis) but they have also made Sterling Silver and it’s now discounted. Some of it is a bit ermm unusual but there is also some lovely layered bracelets and precious stone necklaces, definitely worth a look?

www.theonebuttonshop.com/925-silver

Most of my jewellery falls into one of two categories:
H&M and similar which I'm not proud of ethics-wise but means I can safely assume it'll look contemporary and will therefore do its job of updating an outfit.

The rest is 1950s/60s costume jewellery - mainly brooches and bracelets - from charity shops and vintage fairs. I know you said you weren't keen on that route but I mention it because the only thinking involved for me is do I like it, laced with sentimentality because a lot of it reminds me of my mum.

Buy some nice pre-used gold jewellery. Make sure it is hallmarked with carat.

I have a few pieces from galleries - the National Gallery and the Modern Art in Edinburgh are very good for unusual, well-made jewellery. And I'm in the process of looking for ideas for having my later mother in law's engagement ring remodelled into something more 'me' so worth looking at pieces you may have acquired over the years and which have sentimental value but aren't to your taste.

Most of my jewellery is pre-used 9 carat yellow gold as hard wearing and natural gem stones with certificates. I have bought necklaces, rings and a couple of bracelets this way. I work on colours so have items gold with sapphires, gold with rubies and gold with diamonds or plain gold.

Truly just for looking at:

https://carpentersworkshopgallery.com/jewellery/

I love stainless steel jewellery for everyday wear. I layer a lot and have loads of different types of chains and pendants. I need to be careful because I have an horrendous allergy to nickel. I also love sterling silver. I buy a lot from Boho Moon in both gold and silver.

Topshop used to be my ‘first category’ go to, @Floisme. For years. I used to buy dangly £12 earrings there and hang them on my own gold hoops alongside the tiny emeralds I’ve had for thirty years now.

<Mournful sigh>

I have had a couple of silver necklaces on long chains from here - look great when worn over a plain black jumper etc
https://johngarlandtaylor.com/collections/pendants?srsltid=AfmBOor49MRq7I_QF9l7OyTy6H4yunhz0Kf_Wz1NusWF_iPb_Mx2BtUx