Thursday, February 23, 2012

Classic vs. Bling

Conservative Classic or Bold Bohemian?
Do you go for the most outrageous baubles or stick with the classics?

My jewelry collection is rather spartan.
I attribute this to the fact that I wear "fine" jewels more often than "faux" jewels.
But not always...


"Basic classic earring collection"



I am always wearing my 30th anniversary diamond studs. 
I can wear two pairs of earrings at a time and often do.



In my opinion these are bolder
a bit more arty
yet still within my comfort zone.


A mix of vintage pins
a MOP scarf ring that Ines de la Fressange says is a fashion "no no!"

I have worn the alien ET style pin on a black cashmere sweater
it certainly got attention.


Vintage Bling 
rhinestones by Canadian maker Gustave Sherman
considered to be fashion jewelry at the time it was designed.

Sold by Birks for a modest price point in the 50's and 60's
(Father gave Mother many parure sets for Christmas and birthdays)
Now the prices are crazy!
They are great fun to wear on a denim jacket or a black dress.

Check this great look on Pinterest.
I was looking online for a Sherman necklace in clear rhinestones 
sadly they are priced around $350 for a simple one.
I found a similar necklace on Ruby Lane Antiques and am waiting for it to arrive.
Hope it comes soon!

So where do you fit in with your taste in jewels?
Are you a minimalist or a maximalist?

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really don't care for jewellery and rarely wear my diamonds - they make
me feel "de trop" - but on big nights out I love chandelier earrings.

Susan B said...

I'm finding that I prefer to wear just a few simple favorite/classic pieces, but don't have much "fine" jewelry. Most days it's simple hoops or pearl drops for earrings, a watch, a bracelet or two on the non-watch arm. I'll occasionally throw on a long rope of pearls and/or other necklaces, but other than my Wendy B silver "Diana" necklace, usually only for going out at night.

Lacey R said...

Classic conservative here...I can't really wear earrings all that often (heavy pairs, that is) as I have weak lobes, so I just have a few pairs of stud earrings and one pair of smaller chandelier earrings for evenings.

I have bangles that I wear but otherwise I am a necklace/scarf person.

I love your pins, those are great!

The Daily Connoisseur said...

Beautiful pieces Hostess! I have very little jewelry (I'm allergic to certain metals so costume jewelry is out) but I look forward to building my collection over the years! xo

Debbi@SheAccessorizesWell said...

I love your beautiful pieces. The thistle is very pretty.
Why is the MOP scarf ring a no no? I love MOP.
I have both fine jewelry and fashion and I wear both, often at the same time.
That alien pin is really neat. Kind of like a petroglyph.

annie@mostlovelythings said...

I love your vintage pieces...I've seen them on a pashmina tied the French way...I've been looking for one ever since at flea markets. Both my daughter and I are minimalists when it comes to jewelry. We wear mostly Helen Ficolora and a few things that my mom and grandmother gave us. I love to see her wearing things that I remember my grandmother wearing.

Lorrie said...

I prefer wearing fine jewelry and always feel a bit like I'm play acting with bigger, fun pieces. Gold/silver hoops, pearl drop earrings and tiny crystal studs are my usual earrings. For necklaces I have a couple of gold chains, a gold band that I can add pendants to, and other than that, a few bracelets for bling.

Love the vintage brooches. I like wearing them in the winter on my black coat.

LPC said...

I'm a pure metal, real gems gal all the way. Overboard, if anything. I have thought of showing all my little diamond bits but it's kind of embarrassing. I mean to have the bits and bobs made into something more impressive, but I have to get organized. I understand the playacting comment completely.

the gardener's cottage said...

love your vintage brooches leslie. i'm pretty much a minimalist when it comes to jewelry. xo janet

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

If you are feeling "de trop" in your diamonds I beg of you to show them:)
I do love diamonds....

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I wear simple jewels to work and a watch is a must.
We share a similar taste.
You've got to love a statement piece of artistic jewelry.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Heavy earrings are really uncomfortable and so many are made that way.
I love wearing bangles too and have a fun assortment of sterling ones but they are very distracting to the special needs students so they are not adorning my wrists at work.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have a nickel allergy so it's high carat gold and platinum or sterling.
Building a collection of finery over time sounds very Madame Chic to me!
Special occasion birthdays and anniversaries are great opportunities for jewels...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

The thistle was my husband's grandmother's she was Scottish and this brooch is what I chose to remember her by. Ines says all scarf rings are no no's...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am off to see Helen Ficolora's work. Inherited jewelry is such a magnificent gift...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Sounds like we are on the same wavelength.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh Lisa I'm all ears (and eyes!) Do show and tell!
I have always loved vintage gems....

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Janet your style and beauty needs no adornment well perhaps except that red lip gloss, it's lovely on you !

Pondside said...

I love vintage costume jewelry. I stick to tried and true, classic and the real thing. In summer I splash out a little with colourful fresh water pearls and other beads. I have a few of my grandmother's rhinestone brooches that I love to wear on denim - on weekends.

mette said...

I own very little jewelry. Have done the wheeling and dealing for a long time to upgrade what I have. It must be the real thing, unique, only one ( or two ) pieces worn at the same time.
I have said a good-bye to pendants, as imo they are for younger women. Also a good-bye to silver pieces, also imo for younger women. So, all I have is in white gold/ platinum. Some diamond pieces and one pearl necklace.
No costume, vintage, inherited or trendy jewelry for me. Less is so much more!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Vintage seems a bit more honest even when it's not precious. Love the contrast of bling and denim too !

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I've seen your bubble gum pearls and you are a very lucky woman!
I am still wearing my sterling bangles and hoops.
I have no pendants and am getting older by the minute...my birthday is on the horizon!

Unknown said...

Really interesting! I am a jewellery minimalist, but would be happy wearing a really big piece, I'm just not drawn to 'busy' jewellery with lots of different colours, claws, filligree etc. I'm with Mette that one or two very well chosen pieces can look very chic. I have seen some incredibly sophisticated pieces in silver, see the work by Ute Decker or Mirri Damer, so the right pieces in silver can look good at any age I think? With the huge rises in silver prices I think the idea of silver being cheap and for the young is changing but maybe some youngsters think gold is just for oldies still?!!x

MamaBirdEmma said...

I don't have many jewels in my collection: one pair of diamond studs, one lone diamond drop earring (I lost the other which makes me so sad! My jeweler says he can make a similar one for $300... am saving my pennies!), a sterling cross (would love a diamond one, but...), diamond engagement ring and wedding band, and a few bangles. On my wishlist (other than the earring and cross, of course!) is a bead bracelet from Tiffanys!

Anonymous said...

I only wear pure metal, real gems also. I starting "collecting" Pippa Small jewelry, which I love and has a very casual feel to it, although it is "real". So I go between that, which is a fun look, to a more simple look, with diamond and platinum pieces, which I wear sparingly.

Judith said...

I have 22 or 18 carat gold with diamonds,my favourite gem is Emeralds.
I inherited many pieces which I have re worked,most are not worn much now.

My go to town is very pared down...Cartier tank watch worn with their 'love' braclet gift from HB,or a re-worked gold bangle with small diamond chips (have a weakness for bangles & rings).

Never am I far away from my pearl necklace & clips.

Pearl,and gold knots are my favourite ear clips....have diamonds but so does everyone...so am bored with them. Sorry if I have upset anyone just my thoughts.

Gosh I sound very boring!! Ida

La Vie Quotidienne said...

I am a mixed bag when it comes to jewelry...I wear just about anything that appeals...from fine to junk. You are much more elegant than I.

You asked about bloom time of daffodils, here it is usually Febuary, and the Paperwhites bloom outside in December.

Have a wonderful day.

Dianne said...

Mostly classics, in both gold and silver. A treasured strand of pearls that I don't wear as much as I should. An opal pendant and earrings that are mostly for special occasions. And a NW coast pendant in silver that is almost a signature piece, I wear it so often, along with modest-sized silver hoop earrings. A few pewter pieces that are great for everyday. That's about it :) I've tried some costume jewellery but it just doesn't seem right for me. Your suggestions about vintage pins has me heading to the box where I've kept some inherited costume pieces, perhaps they have life in them after all .....

Diane said...

Beautiful collection Hostess! I think it's nice to have the opportunity to change a look with accessories, but that said find I go to my David Yurman pieces most days. My HB bought my first cable bracelet over 15 years ago, and the newest piece was a birthday present a few months ago. I like the weight and simplicity of his designs. And for special occasions pull out my old favorite, an Elsa Peretti Bone cuff.

Rosemary the Shopper said...

I'm afraid my jewellery is more by the kilo than any other way of describing it (them?) If I like it, it's mine. My Gorgeous Husband says that I could open my own jewellery store, although at this moment in time, it's limited to clanking away on the back of my closet door.

Cheers, Rosemary from England (formerly from Canada)
www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com

Swissy said...

I really enjoy seeing your "collection" and hearing about how and when you wear the pieces. And the comments of others, too. I have classic and very good basics. I wear them all the time, but sparingly. For dressing up a cashmere sweater (what passes for winter evening wear these days), I wear antique and handmade, one-of-a-kind family pieces, an Egyptian slave (?! that's what the materfamilias called it)cuff bracelet , agate and silver brooches, and semi-precious beads with lovely clasps, in various shades. I also wear my modern pieces from Denmark. My inherited Victorian and 50's costume pieces don't suit me at all, I think. Any suggestions about an outlet for the latter?

Anonymous said...

I have some very classic pieces and some very vintage pieces. I dont wear earrings anymore since one pierced hole decided to fill itself in. If I wore them I would wear pearls or a diamond stud.I have a collection of pins fom animals to rhinestones to handmade sheep .I wear a pearl necklace it is a very pale pink and they are very old. I have a few strings of pearls , some were my great grandmothers and they range in different shades of creams.I have some rings , but I dont wear them very often , my hands get into paint and paper maches or i always have a needle and thread going daily so i find them an annoyance. I would be happy with some of your vintage pins though lol . Donna

Anonymous said...

there are jewellery stores that consign vintage and antique jewellery . That would be a safe place to sell them . Donna

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Silver can span all ages.
Local First Nations silversmiths have carved silver bracelets and bangles with their ancestral designs and they are highly sought after especially the large cuffs. The gold carved jewelry are most definitely "investment pieces" and not for the faint of heart.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Sounds like you have a quality collection of fine jewelry. Are you able to claim that lost earring with your house insurance? It might be covered.
Tiffany's have some fabulous and tempting trinkets :)

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I visited Pippa's online shop and I can see why you like her work. She's put together a lovely assortment of pieces which are very tempting!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Ida I am not sure I'd use those terms "boring old diamonds" but then I am like a crow and drawn to sparkly and shiny things! No offense taken, perhaps I am the boring one!

I have a friend whose husband gives her gifts from Cartier fairly often. Your watch is a classic and their Love series is simple understated and can be worn everyday.
I'd love to see you in your "going to town" attire, I am certain that you are far from boring!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Paperwhites do not grow outside here
We do have narcissus and many varieties of daffodils. I saw one today in fact by the church yard in a rocky spot blooming all alone. I should have taken a photo but I was in a hurry to meet up with friends.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Pearls improve with wearing so I'd suggest you put them on more often. I even wear mine with a white tank and my jeans. Oh and I hope there are some fun vintage pieces in your box!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

David Yurman does have some fabulous designs. I've never owned any but if they were to find their way into my possession I'd be honored to wear them! Weighty cable bracelets make such a statement and I love how they can be worn solo or en masse.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Rosemary welcome!
I see that you recently visited Highclere Castle set for the series Downton Abbey and that you and your HB were in a documentary, how exciting!
Oh and I do approve of your ability to acquire...
"If I like it it's mine"
there's a mantra that could get me in trouble :)

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I agree with Donna. There are antique shops and consignment stores that would take those unwanted gems and sell them for you on commission. Or if you are computer savvy try selling them yourself on ebay.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Pink pearls are luminous and soft in their lustre. I had a friend whose father brought some South Sea pink pearls back from the Pacific when he served in the navy and they were jaw dropping gorgeous.
remember to have your pearls restrung every few years, they should be hand knotted between each pearl. I'd love to see those pearls from your grandmother...
Do you have a blog?

Annie ~ Red Roses and Crystal said...

You name it I think I probably have it in my collection. A bit of this and that, real and faux. Of course I tend to stick to my favourites each day. Chunky colourful pieces are very popular in my city Hostess.
xx

Anonymous said...

No I dont have a blog , the pearls are my great grandmothers so they are very old , she wore them for her wedding and my grandmother did as well , a long strand which was doubled over, They are knotted in between but I will have them restrung before I wear them. My maternal grandmother wore her pearls everyday , now I am not sure if i have those because I have a few strings and am not sure who's were whose , some were my mom's too . So I treasure them all . Donna