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The Classic Jewellery Wardrobe Buying Guide

It's not enough to have the little black dress--you need the earrings,  bracelet  and necklace  to go with it!  Jewellery  can help transform any outfit from daytime to evening, and it's important to know what classic pieces can help you pull off that transformation flawlessly.  From the material it's made out of to the overall design, classic pieces of jewellery need to be both durable and versatile in order to become a wardrobe  staple.

Precious Metals

Always start with the basics.  Before worrying about stones, sizes,  shapes and all the other little details, decide what material fits best with your style and budget.  Silver,  gold  and platinum  go with virtually everything, and often look good all on their own--no gaudy gems necessary.

Silver

The most inexpensive of the three, sterling silver lasts a long time and adds sparkle to that special outfit.  It's important that you choose sterling, however, over silver plating that can often wear down to the brass after multiple wears.  Unlike silver in its purest form, which is fairly soft and therefore easily damaged, sterling silver is durable because it's actually combined with a small amount of copper--about 7.5%.  Copper helps to make silver harder without distracting from its shiny appearance, and it doesn't affect the price-tag.  What makes silver more or less expensive is the intricacy of its design--i.e. how hard the craftsman worked to make it.

In order to determine the quality of your silver jewellery, check for quality markings.  A "quality" or "fineness" mark indicates how much precious metal the jewellery contains, and under federal law, must be accompanied by the maker's mark or some registered trademark.  When looking at sterling silver, acceptable marks include:

  • sterling silver
  • sterling
  • ster
  • .925

Once you've picked up some classic silver jewellery pieces, remember to take special care of them by preventing tarnish build-up.  This can be avoided simply by wearing your silver regularly, or polishing it with silver solutions that can easily be found at any craft or hardware store.  Keeping your silver jewellery  in a cloth bag or a separate compartment in your jewellery box  can also help avoid scratching that is often difficult to repair.  That's why, no matter how much you may love your silver, you also can't wear it everywhere you go.  Avoid exposing it to household cleaners like bleach or ammonia, and don't jump in the pool with your bangles on!  All of these chemicals can irrevocably damage your classic silver pieces.

Gold

The most malleable of metals, gold is also the toughest.  There's no need to worry about rust or corrosion, so long as you know how to understand the meaning and implications of karatage.  For instance, some of the most beautiful gold jewellery is 18k gold.   More vibrantly coloured than 14K and stronger than pure 24K,  18k gold offers a good compromise that is both moderately priced and practical to wear for any occasion.  Purity is affected if the gold is mixed with other metals--like silver, copper and nickel--to make it more durable, so keep this in mind while buying.  If you're going to expose your gold to a lot of the stresses that come with everyday wear, it may be best to avoid buying a full 24K piece.

The colour of gold is also affected by the type and amount of other metals mixed with it.  Yellow gold  is found in 14K and 18K varieties, while white gold  is often 24K.  When white gold is 14 or 18K, however, it is most often combined with rhodium, a shiny, extremely hard metal which helps to enhance whiteness.  The only disadvantage to rhodium plating is that it can wear off over time, thus requiring some repair over the years.  So if white or yellow golds don't sound appealing, try rose instead.  An interesting option that contains more copper that most alloys, rose gold  has a stunning pink colour.

And while many of the same silver care tips apply to gold, it differs in that is should be cleaned with a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap.  Wash it gently with a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratching.

Platinum

The most popular choice for wedding and engagement ring settings, platinum's super-shiny, white sheen looks great paired next to diamonds  and other gemstones.   Not to mention, platinum is the strongest precious metal--so much so that when scratched, the metal itself is not chipped away.  Thus, platinum prongs for diamond settings are often the safest and most secure.

The best grade platinum is often 95% pure, with 5% composed of other metals that help to increase colour and durability.  But don't be fooled into thinking that your platinum pieces are invincible.  In fact, platinum is known for easily developing a patina--a unique look that is produced by tiny scratches obtained from daily wear.  While many people actually enjoy this look, and often do not polish their platinum in order to preserve it, your pieces can be soaked in a mild solution of soap and warm water to help maintain the metal's lustre.

Gemstones

For added sparkle and interest to your classic jewellery wardrobe, gemstones are often added to ring  settings, necklace chains  and drop earrings.   Some of the most common gemstones are:

Pearls

For beautiful, eye catching pearls, look for a high to medium lustre grade. Lustre is what gives a pearl the reflective glow for which they're so popularly known.  And in order to further maximize this look, go for a smooth appearance with a surface grade of flawless to lightly spotted.  To get more details on buying pearls, please see our Pearl Buying Guide.

Diamonds

Nothing's more classic than a girl's best friend--the sparkling diamond.  The most important factors to consider while buying any diamond piece are the cut, colour, clarity and carat weight of the diamond itself, often referred to as the "four c's."  For more information on buying the right diamond for you, please see our Diamond Buying Guide.

Birthstones

To add a touch of the personal and a splash of colour to any piece of jewellery, consider incoporating your birthstone.  These gemstones are said to be capable of focusing astrological energies for the wearer, helping them to exemplify some of their best qualities as people born under a particular design.  To learn all about birthstones, please browse through our Birthstones Buying Guide.

Classic Pieces

Studs 

Hoops 

Cuffs 

Chains 

All Diamonds and Pearls 

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