How do you decide between jewelry staples or collectibles? Are you a collector or a wearer? And more...

[mellowyellowgirl]

Am a wearer but the stuff I wear these days is ridiculously big so I wouldn't call them staples.

Recently I've moved onto bigger rings however the smaller ones have either been given to Lil Sis or used as rings on my rummaging hand.

 

[oldcutclubmember]

I also picked “other.” I do only try to buy things that I know I will wear on a regular basis. But I also like having options and mixing and matching so it IS a bit of a collection. To me, my collection is comprised of classic staples in that they are mostly reproductions of Edwardian and Art Deco styles that I don’t think will really go out of style. I think a lot of the pieces I own have potential to be future heirloom pieces. I do have a few actual antique pieces but I also wear those on a regular basis and are classic staples (3 stone and 5 stone rings). Mixed in are several designer pieces (VCA/Cartier) that I think also work well with the rest of my collection.

This is one of the reasons it has been hard for me to venture out into colored gemstones and more delicate pieces. Having small kids, I don’t know if I would wear a softer gemstone on a regular basis right now. I like being able to throw my diamond rings in hot water and dish soap after holding my kids’ sticky hands lol

 

[JV36912]

I picked "other" for this one. I purchase pieces that I can wear regularly and also antique/unique ones that I take out on special occasions (or just to admire every so often). I'd one day like to hand all of these off as heirlooms so that's also something else I think of as I collect/make pieces. I get the conflict though. Sometimes your heart wins over practicality and you love what you love.

 

[dk168]

A mixture for me, in that I have jewellery wardrobes like I have with clothes and accessories, and the amount of make-up I wear.

The nicer and bigger items come out when I have dressier events requiring the full paint job including nails!



DK

 

[Pomelo]

What a good question @Mreader !

I am most like @Cerulean - love classics with a twist, and I don’t really collect or have multiples of things; most pieces are worn for a significant period of the year.

Cost per wear and wearability matters a lot to me. That’s why, even though I tried on a pair of VCA Magic 3-motif pave earrings (and nearly cried because they were so beautiful), I wouldn’t be able to justify spending so much on something that I won’t wear every day. My big earrings for evening events all tend to be costume / sterling silver / gold plated jewellery.

What’s interesting is that I used to be more of a collector - I had around 50-60 pieces at the time when our home was burgled. Losing my entire jewellery collection meant that I had to start afresh; I realised that I didn’t wear most of what was in my jewellery box and was forced to prioritise and curate, which has been a fun journey itself.

 

[LLJsmom]

I did not start out intending to collect. I only buy what I can wear daily, which means that it needs to fit my casual lifestyle and go with all my other jewelry and clothes. I don't buy pieces that are for special occasions only. However, I keep buying and I have ended up with so many pieces that I have to rotate them, so I now I have a collection. But I can wear any of the pieces on any day, with pretty much any outfit and (mostly) anywhere. My pieces aren't too interesting or original, but they suit me.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

I'm a collector, but not of antiques. I buy stones because they are beautiful or interesting, and have them set into rings so that I can admire them. I make a point of rotating them. My standard line is, 'I don't have jewelry, I have a wearable rock collection.'

Same. I collect rocks based on cut, color, or type of stone. But they are all wearable. Hexagon opalescent diamond:



I don’t pay much attention or money to settings unless there is something special about them architecturally or kineticly (<— is that a word?). Pendant with portrait cut that spins:




These days I am consolidating rocks I wear less often into more complicated pieces, but even then they are meant to be worn. Used to be a princess cut solitaire ring, peridot earrings, a topaz pendant, a pearl pendant, and a pearl bracelet (faux):



The closest thing I have to unwearable is a sphene ring (collected notwithstanding sphene is soft, for the double refraction plus the fact that these specimens are light color). I still wear it albeit infrequently:

I voted Other-because I am in between. I am all about price per wear, but I also like to collect. Wearability is definitely a consideration for me before I buy. For instance, I love the look of collet set rings, but I am not sure if I will ever buy an authentic one because I am afraid that they are too high maintenance.

Price per wear is very important to me. Big diamonds are beautiful but I don’t wear them that often. I can’t afford giant diamonds plus all the little interesting stones I get, but I’ll wear the little stones more often, so that’s what I go for.

 

[Catmom]

I guess I'm a collector and a wearer. I don't buy it if I can't wear it. Pieces, however, have to be unique and more one of a kind. My jewelry collection as most everyone knows is very eclectic, lol.

 

[GliderPoss]

It’s a great question! I’m more of a collector I guess but I do wear almost all of it at some point. I have some staples I wear daily (Longuines watch) but try to swap my antiques each day to “show love” to them all. I can’t sell much due to sentimentality!

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

I answered other because I'm both a collector and wearer. Although I've worn most of my pieces, I do have a few items that have never been worn. I just gaze upon them lovingly from time to time.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I also picked “other.” I do only try to buy things that I know I will wear on a regular basis. But I also like having options and mixing and matching so it IS a bit of a collection. To me, my collection is comprised of classic staples in that they are mostly reproductions of Edwardian and Art Deco styles that I don’t think will really go out of style. I think a lot of the pieces I own have potential to be future heirloom pieces. I do have a few actual antique pieces but I also wear those on a regular basis and are classic staples (3 stone and 5 stone rings). Mixed in are several designer pieces (VCA/Cartier) that I think also work well with the rest of my collection.

This is one of the reasons it has been hard for me to venture out into colored gemstones and more delicate pieces. Having small kids, I don’t know if I would wear a softer gemstone on a regular basis right now. I like being able to throw my diamond rings in hot water and dish soap after holding my kids’ sticky hands lol

On that I am in a similar boat, my gemstone pieces are few and only worn out of the house when I'm with other adults. Kids are rough on everything!!!

 

[lilmosun]

Definitely a collector....and not in a good sense as it's all over the place as it reflects my different interests/tastes over time (and an inability to let go of things I love).

That said, my pieces were always purchased for "wear" and I use to change my jewelry daily for the office. However, pieces would fall in and out of rotation.

But Covid hit along with other life changes. With work from home and splitting my time between two locations, I just don't wear and rotate my jewelry like I used to...and what I do wear tends to be more staple (or "go with anything") pieces.
As such, I should do a major destash and focus more on staple pieces.

 

[yssie]

Am a wearer but the stuff I wear these days is ridiculously big so I wouldn't call them staples.

Recently I've moved onto bigger rings however the smaller ones have either been given to Lil Sis or used as rings on my rummaging hand.

“Rummaging hand” I’m totally stealing that!!

 

[yssie]

I have a watch obsession.
At my “peak” I owned around 80. I have since downsized a little, it’s a work in progress. Even now I still get tempted!
Some I have never worn and probably never will. To me they are objects of beauty and fine, nearly extinct workmanship.
My collection includes enameled pendant watches and matching chain, face powder compacts with a watch, I even found an Art Deco watch set into a handbag. I have a collection, different colours, of the Mystery dial watches. Mostly though it’s the cocktail style, covered dials, to look like bracelets. Oh, and a few vintage Rolexes (2 sold, 2 more to go) as well as interesting Lucien Picchard, Omega, Longines, Elgin etc. I have a ring watch, a lapel watch, a belt watch, pocket watches and watches that hang off a brooch. Even have a watch I made up with 6 individual watches!

You have more inventory - in both variance and quantity - than every watch dealer in the country right now!! So many beauties here. Those Elgins… And that bag watch…

Do they all work as watches Bron? And do you wear the six-face bracelet? (OMG. Please tell me you do and that they all function and what countries you’ve set them to )

 

[yssie]

My pieces aren't too interesting or original, but they suit me.

Very disagree on the first part, very agree on the second