Statement Jewelry and How to Wear it Well
Statement jewelry is named as such because it makes a “statement” about the personality of whomever is wearing it.
Does your personal style tend to be classically subtle and elegant, or bold and dramatic? When you get ready for a night out on the town, do you stick to a simple string of pearls and a meaningful ring, or do you tend towards gilded necklace that matches your bold manicure, perhaps set off by a delicate bangle bracelet and a ring or two?
Sometimes its a question of whether you prefer to wear a single stunning, expensive signature designer piece that you saved up for a while to purchase versus some over-the-top costume jewelry that’s sure to get you noticed. Both options can be beautiful.
Whether your style leans more towards low-key, impactful jewelry like Ingrid Bergman in “Casablanca,” glamorous stacks of pearls paired with the perfect little black dress like Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” or more like the dramatically bejeweled Elizabeth Taylor, whose jewelry was center stage in her films (and in her personal life), the adornments you choose make a powerful statement about who you are and how you want to be remembered.
Everyone loves a good statement piece, but not everyone knows how to add sparkle while making sure that people also notice you, not just what you are wearing. A general rule of a statement piece has always been to make sure all other accessories are minimalistic so that the bold pieces can truly shine without making it look like you are trying too hard.
The key is combining one or two of these signature style accessories with an effortless outfit (i.e. the classic “Little Black Dress”) so that your overall look is balanced.
Here’s some history, tips, and tricks about statement jewelry that will help you develop an outstanding collection that you can wear just about anywhere.
NECKLACESIf you love jewelry and are all about the glitz and glam, a dramatic statement necklace is a stunning way to show off your distinct style. Depending on how it’s styled, too much is never enough. Use a colorful statement necklace to brighten up your neutral outfits.
If you really want to make a statement, but don’t want bright colors to do it, try a Statement Necklace with a gold or silver tone and wear it with black. Pair it with very minimal jewelry that doesn’t compete, like stud earrings, a simple ring, or a dainty chain bracelet.
EARRINGS
Diamond earrings are a classic choice that never goes out of style. Remember that viewing distances for earrings are much further away compared to engagement rings, so it makes sense to prioritize carat weight when shopping for a pair of earrings.
Elongated shapes like the emerald cut, radiant cut, and marquise cut will complement a wider face type. If you have a thinner face type, symmetrical shapes like the round cut, princess cut and Asscher cut are flattering options. If you don’t own diamond earrings, quality rhinestone earrings will still look beautiful.
COCKTAIL RINGS
The history of the “Cocktail Ring” dates back to the American prohibition era of the 1920s, a time of great social change for women, who enjoyed greater freedom and increased spending power. The glamorous Art Deco jewelry worn in the 1920s reflected a newfound consumerism, and the Cocktail Ring essentially became a statement of arrival for women, as the original “bling.”
The feature of a Cocktail Ring that’s designed to impress. is typically a large center diamond or colored stone surrounded by smaller stones in a halo effect, usually worn on the right hand so as not to be confused with an engagement piece. The only limit on how to style a Cocktail Ring is your imagination, whether you want to keep it as the focal point or surround it with simpler rings on some of your other fingers.
BRACELETS
When bracelets are worn right, they add a perfect touch of class and glamour to any outfit. You can channel your inner Wonder Woman and opt for a set of identical cuffs, or you can mix and match an endless range of colors, widths, styles, and sizes.
People often wear bracelets to show what’s important to them, through the use of symbolic gemstones, prayer beads, or messages that are literally engraved on the bracelet. Just make sure that the bracelets you wear complement each other so they don’t look like a jumbled disarray of miscellaneous items thrown together without intention.
WATCHES
A gorgeous watch is more than a mere timepiece, it’s a collectible. If you maintain it through the years, it can even become a family heirloom. For those who desire a certain degree of chic decadence, Cartier (and other brands) even make “Hidden Watches” that walk the line between bracelet and a time-keeping piece.
There is also something elegantly striking (and romantic) about a woman wearing a men’s wristwatch that’s been fit especially for her, so there’s no shame in absconding one of your man’s watches that he rarely wears.
BROOCHES
Brooches are extremely versatile. They can be pinned to accent a hat, as a utilitarian way to close a shawl or hold a scarf in place, adorn a coat or the top of a buttoned shirt, pinned to the side of a dress, attached to a ribbon and worn as a necklace, or used as an embellishment for a sharp clutch. A brooch usually looks best as a single statement piece when it’s worn to the left or the right, with the exception of the center of a buttoned-up collar. So don’t just start pinning a bunch of brooches haphazardly in the middle of a dress or top just because your grandmother bestowed you with a few of her treasures! Stick with one brooch at a time so that it can really make a statement.
THE TAKEAWAY
Statement jewelry can sometimes seem like an intimidating thing to style, but the key is to make your magnificent jewelry the focal point of otherwise simple outfits so they don’t compete with one another. Try to keep your other jewelry at a minimum so that your main standout piece can be the focal point.
Images courtesy of Shutterstock and Pinterest
About The Author
Debbie Azar is the Co-Founder and President of Gemological Science International (GSI), one of the largest gemological organizations in the world, and a distinguished leader in the global diamond and jewelry industry. As an executive with extensive knowledge of the jewelry and gem lab industries, her entrepreneurial skills and vision have helped GSI achieve rapid and continuous growth worldwide, establishing 13 leading-edge gemological facilities on four continents. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Responsible Jewellery Council, and Jewelers for Children, and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York. She has been featured in Forbes, Daily Mail, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fox Business, Fox5, CBS2, BOLDTV, Varney&Co, The Street, and NASDAQ, among others.
Statement Jewelry, and How to Wear it Well
Statement jewelry is named as such because it makes a “statement” about the personality of whoever is wearing it.
Does your personal style tend to be classically subtle and elegant, or bold and dramatic? When you get ready for a night out on the town, do you stick to a simple string of pearls and a meaningful ring, or do you tend towards gilded necklace that matches your bold manicure, perhaps set off by a delicate bangle bracelet and some rings?
Sometimes its a question of whether you prefer to wear a single stunning, expensive signature designer piece that you saved up for a while to purchase versus some over-the-top costume jewelry that’s sure to get you noticed. Both options can be beautiful.
Whether your style leans more towards low-key, impactful jewelry like Ingrid Bergman in “Casablanca,” glamorous stacks of pearls paired with the perfect little black dress like Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” or more like the dramatically bejeweled Elizabeth Taylor, whose jewelry was center stage in her films (and in her personal life), the adornments you choose make a powerful statement about who you are and how you want to be remembered.
Everyone loves a good statement piece, but not everyone knows how to add sparkle while making sure that people also notice you, not just what you are wearing. A general rule of a statement piece has always been to make sure all other accessories are minimalistic so that the bold pieces can truly shine without making it look like you are trying too hard.
The key is combining one or two of these signature style accessories with an effortless outfit (i.e. the classic “Little Black Dress”) so that your overall look is balanced.
Here’s some history, tips, and tricks about statement jewelry that will help you develop an outstanding collection that you can wear just about anywhere.
NECKLACES
If you love jewelry and are all about the glitz and glam, a dramatic statement necklace is a stunning way to show off your distinct style. Depending on how it’s styled, too much is never enough. Use a colorful statement necklace to brighten up your neutral outfits.
If you really want to make a statement, but don’t want bright colors to do it, try a Statement Necklace with a gold or silver tone and wear it with black. Pair it with very minimal jewelry that doesn’t compete, like stud earrings, a simple ring, or a dainty chain bracelet.
EARRINGS
Diamond earrings are a classic choice that never goes out of style. Remember that viewing distances for earrings are much further away compared to engagement rings, so it makes sense to prioritize carat weight when shopping for a pair of earrings.
Elongated shapes like the emerald cut, radiant cut, and marquise cut will complement a wider face type. If you have a thinner face type, symmetrical shapes like the round cut, princess cut and Asscher cut are flattering options. If you don’t own diamond earrings, quality rhinestone earrings will still look beautiful.
COCKTAIL RINGS
The history of the “Cocktail Ring” dates back to the American prohibition era of the 1920s, a time of great social change for women, who enjoyed greater freedom and increased spending power. The glamorous Art Deco jewelry worn in the 1920s reflected a newfound consumerism, and the Cocktail Ring essentially became a statement of arrival for women, as the original “bling.”
The feature of a Cocktail Ring that’s designed to impress. is typically a large center diamond or colored stone surrounded by smaller stones in a halo effect, usually worn on the right hand so as not to be confused with an engagement piece. The only limit on how to style a Cocktail Ring is your imagination, whether you want to keep it as the focal point or surround it with simpler rings on some of your other fingers.
BRACELETS
When bracelets are worn right, they add a perfect touch of class and glamour to any outfit. You can channel your inner Wonder Woman and opt for a set of identical cuffs, or you can mix and match an endless range of colors, widths, styles, and sizes.
People often wear bracelets to show what’s important to them, through the use of symbolic gemstones, prayer beads, or messages that are literally engraved on the bracelet. Just make sure that the bracelets you wear complement each other so they don’t look like a jumbled disarray of miscellaneous items thrown together without intention.
WATCHES
A gorgeous watch is more than a mere timepiece, it’s a collectible. If you maintain it through the years, it can even become a family heirloom. For those who desire a certain degree of chic decadence, Cartier (and other brands) even make “Hidden Watches” that walk the line between bracelet and a time-keeping piece. There is also something elegantly striking (and romantic) about a woman wearing a men’s wristwatch that’s been fit especially for her, so there’s no shame in absconding one of your man’s watches that he rarely wears.
BROOCHES
Brooches are extremely versatile. They can be pinned to accent a hat, as a utilitarian way to close a shawl or hold a scarf in place, adorn a coat or the top of a buttoned shirt, pinned to the side of a dress, attached to a ribbon and worn as a necklace, or used as an embellishment for a sharp clutch. A brooch usually looks best as a single statement piece when it’s worn to the left or the right, with the exception of the center of a buttoned-up collar. So don’t just start pinning a bunch of brooches haphazardly in the middle of a dress or top just because your grandmother bestowed you with a few of her treasures! Stick with one brooch at a time so that it can really make a statement.
THE TAKEAWAY
Statement jewelry can sometimes seem like an intimidating thing to style, but the key is to make your magnificent jewelry the focal point of otherwise simple outfits so they don’t compete with one another. Try to keep your other jewelry at a minimum so that your main standout piece can be the focal point.
Images courtesy of Shutterstock and Pinterest
