Interview: Building a Jewelry Wardrobe with Jess LC

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I have a confession to make: although I love jewelry, I don’t wear a lot of it because frankly I don’t know where to begin! There are so many gorgeous pieces out there, and I’m terrible at making decisions. So I asked uber-talented jewelry designer Jessica Constable of Jess L.C. what the ‘must have’ pieces are for any accessories wardrobe. Here are her ingenious picks, along with my fave fit-the-bill pieces!

1: The “Trench coat” of jewelry: A great gold or silver bracelet- I like them chunky and substantial- it is the perfect substitute for a watch. (Above: Addison Bracelet from Jess LC)

2: The “Patent Leather Stilletto” of jewelry: A great diamond or cocktail ring- Only wear rings that are real gold or fine silver with genuine stones. Rings get the most wear and tear and will look the cheapest if not made well. Vintage rings are my personal favorite- I wear a simple small band of diamonds on one hand and my Great-Grandmothers wedding band on the other almost everyday. (Above: Kenneth Jay Lane Shell Ring)

3: The “Boot Cut Jean” of jewelry: A basic gold or silver necklace with a small pendant- this is the necklace that goes from day to night and adds a subtle shine even to a t-shirt and jeans for a baseball game or a swimsuit at the beach. (Above: Astor Street Necklace from Jess LC)

4: The “Wrap dress” of jewelry: A standout pair of earrings- Large, nice earrings are perfect for tricky necklines where a necklace could be too much. Always wear large earrings (over 1″ long) by themselves with no necklace (a bracelet or cocktail ring is fine)! So many people make this mistake and end up taking an otherwise elegant piece of jewelry and making it look cheap and cluttered. As Coco Chanel said: always take one piece of jewelry off before leaving this house. Less is always more. (Above: Elm Street Feather Earrings from Jess LC)

5: The “Signature handbag” of jewelry: A pair of diamond studs- Again, sticking with real metals and real stones is always best for investment pieces and basics. I wear my small diamond studs on my ears in my second hole and leave the first one for earrings that coordinate with specific outfits. (Above: Studs from Tiffany and Co…the ultimate indulgence!)

Thanks Jess for these terrific tips! Readers, tell me: what’s your jewelry M.O.? Are you a total pro or a scaredy cat like me? What are your go-to pieces?

Top Image Credit: Roland Bello