Rise, shine, repeat
For most women, there are only a few occasions in the annual calendar that call for statement diamond jewelry. We’re talking about the kind of jewelry that spends most of the year tucked away for safekeeping until it’s time for a short moment in the spotlight, usually to be paired with an equally special evening gown. And while these creations are spectacular, often sentimental, and beautifully apt for their time and place, there’s a new wave of contemporary sparkling accents that have been slowly, and very steadily, becoming the most cherished of a woman’s collection — behold, “everyday diamonds”.
These daily doses of sparkle are simpler, subtler, and lighter — hugging your body like a second skin, so that you barely notice they’re there. You never need to take them off because they’re durable enough to join you for your school drop-off, yoga class, and day in the office, and they’re versatile enough to match with any outfit, whether that be denim and a tee, a dress, a power suit, or athleisure wear.
And while the beauty of everyday diamonds is that wearing them is effortless, there is a little effort required when putting together your initial jewelry capsule. Here, we take you through how to build an “everyday diamond” collection, so you can quickly get to the fun part — wearing them.
First and foremost, only invest in pieces you love — there are too many beautiful pieces of jewelry in the world to settle for something that you don’t adore. Second, only opt for pieces you feel comfortable wearing every day — everyone’s level of glitzy is different, so find what makes you feel your best. Third, choose a small edit of jewelry (anywhere from three to ten pieces is a general rule) that blends harmoniously to ensure a cohesive overall result. To help you with that edit, here’s our rundown of three categories within an everyday diamond jewelry capsule.
The Ears
When it comes to everyday diamonds on your ears, it’s more about an artful peppering, rather than the single standout. Opt for more delicate pieces higher up your ear, and more statement pieces such as diamond huggies, hoops, or larger diamond studs further down your lobe. If you like the appeal of an ear stack but don’t want to get new piercings, an ear crawler or clip-ons will achieve a similar look. Consider one to three pieces in total on each ear.
The Neck
Three necklaces can make a complete set, which you can build over time with pieces that speak to you. It’s also a good number to combine in an outfit. Start with one diamond necklace, like a simple gold chain that sparkles with a diamond medallion or letter initial, and consider adding a thin chain that flickers with strategically spaced diamonds, or a diamond tennis necklace. You can also layer a diamond necklace with one or two good-quality precious metal chains — think 18k gold or higher — for a less sparkly, but still special, final effect.
The Hands
Your wrists and rings deserve a smattering of complementary diamonds, too. A thin, dainty chain bangle and a diamond tennis bracelet always play well together, as does a slightly chunkier style — think a signet style punctuated with a sparkling spot. Pair them with one or two thin diamond rings that stack onto each other, and stack them on the same finger or on adjacent fingers– typically this is your middle and ring finger on your right hand, but go with whatever feels most natural to you.
Final note? If you’ve ever heard the styling rule that you must stick to one metal tone within your jewelry edit, forget it now — it’s an outdated notion. If you fancy mixing gold, white gold or platinum, or rose gold together as your base metal colors, go for it.
