Layering Jewelry

March 17, 2020

The key to layering your jewelry

Just like clothing, when you layer it, you immediately add more visual interest. I often talk about the third piece: most people just wear a first piece, a top, and a second piece, a bottom. The third piece adds dimension, personality and lots of optical excitement. Add a third piece to your neck, ears or hands, too!

In 2020, I’ve have begun collaborating with one of the most fashionable lady-bosses in San Diego, Jenny Livits of Pink Lagoon in Solana Beach. (Follow her @pinklagoon) Her motto: invest in fine jewelry. I.e. 'the real stuff'. Precious and semi-precious stones on a necklace look great layered with pearls and chunky links. (See photos below of @JulezBryant & @Erajewelry, respectively)

Or try a neck cuff with charms made to resemble seashells, shark teeth or sea glass layered with a chunky stone necklace. (See photo below of @ Dezsobysb jewelry)

Don’t forget to layer your earrings and rings, too. Consider adding an extra hole to your earlobe or simply attaching a cuff or two up the side of the ear. Also, combining the same ring in varying sizes is a great way to add “oomph” to your outfit. (see photos below of @SuzanneKalan and @mejuri, respectively)

And just like furnishing you home, you can take your time in picking pieces slowly and mindfully. After all, fine jewelry costs as much as a sofa, but it's something that you have forever! Beckoning a piece or two a year is a perfect way to capture the evolving you. Some years you’re attracted to black and some years color. One year diamonds and other years turquoise. It all looks great together because it’s all YOU.

Additionally, I’ve started considering repurposing the stones that I don’t seem to wear. You know, the tennis bracelet that no longer makes sense and having a jeweler that can drill holes in your stones and flip them upside down. The designers Todd Powell (See photo @tapbytoddpownell) and Brook Gregson (See photo @brookgregson) repurposes stones or they simply turn or twist them differently in their jewelry. What a fantastic way to sport gems differently!