How to Refresh Your Jewellery Collection

Jewellery often holds a special place in our wardrobes, mainly because our jewellery can mark milestones, reflect personality, complete an outfit ot add confidence to an otherwise everyday fashion choice. But over time, fashion and styles evolve, and just as that’s true of clothing, it’s also true of jewellery. In this article, we’re going to be telling you how to refresh your jewellery collection, alongside classic pieces to add to your collection if you’re looking to breathe new life into it. So, here’s how to refresh your jewellery collection.

How to refresh your jewellery collection

Just as wardrobes need updating every so often, so does your jewellery collection. But whether you have an extensive collection or one that’s modest, there are a few simple tricks for refreshing your jewellery collection accordingly. Here’s a step-by-step guide for refreshing your jewellery collection:

Step one: take inventory of what you own

The first step is understanding your current collection. Before you begin, lay out all of your jewellery in one place and sort it into categories, including: rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, watches, sentimental pieces and occasion pieces. Look at your collection as a whole and ask yourself the following questions in order to create clarity before making new purchases:

• What do I wear regularly?
• What have I not worn for some time?
• What feels outdated?
• What still excites me?
• What’s missing from my everyday options?

Step two: declutter thoughtfully

Not every jewellery piece needs to stay in your jewellery collection forever. Decluttering creates space for items for you to truly enjoy. As such, consider separating jewellery into different groups:

• Keep – pieces you wear often or genuinely love
• Repair – items with broken clasps
• Repurpose – pieces with sentimental value that no longer suit your style, but that could be redesigned 
• Donate or sell – items in good condition that you either no longer want or that you don’t wear
• Store separately – family heirlooms or sentimental pieces that you don’t wear regularly but that you’d like to preserve

Step three: clean & restore existing pieces

Sometimes, jewellery doesn’t need to be replaced; it needs some TLC. Clean your collection carefully using methods appropriate to the material. Polish, untangle and repair jewellery where needed. Also, replace earring backs if some are missing. This allows those jewellery pieces to be worn again, where they were avoided previously due to their lack of cleanliness, or because they were tangled or broken. 

Step four: define your current style

Your jewellery should reflect who you are now and not who you were years ago. Your refreshed collection should therefore align with the clothes you actually wear and the image you want to project. So, don’t hold onto old pieces. Instead, consider your current wardrobe and lifestyle. Ask yourself whether or not you prefer:

• Minimal or understated looks
• Bold statement accessories
• Vintage-inspired elegance
• Modern geometric pieces
• Layered bohemian styling
• Sleek professional polish

Step five: upgrade your everyday essentials

A refreshed collection starts with strong basics that can be worn repeatedly. Everyday essentials are bought just for that reason – they can be worn every day, no matter your style or lifestyle choices. As such, consider investing in versatile essentials like simple hoop or stud earrings, a fine chain necklace, a quality watch, a stackable ring, a classic bracelet, a pendant necklace or a sleek signet ring.

Step six: add one or two statement pieces

Basics provide a foundation, but statement pieces create excitement. While statement pieces aren’t as versatile as simple, sleek styles, they still complement your wardrobe rather than compete with everything you own. Some examples of this include:

• Oversized earrings
• Sculptural cuff bracelets
• Bold gemstone rings
• Chunky chain necklaces
• Distinctive broaches
• Layered mixed-metal necklaces

Step seven: explore layering & stacking

You may not need new jewellery at all. It might be that you can create new looks from the jewellery that already exists in your collection. When it comes to layering, follow these steps for necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings:

• Necklaces – layer two or three chains of differing lengths
• Rings – wear slim bands across multiple fingers on either one or both hands
• Bracelets – combine bangles, chain bracelets and cuffs
• Earrings – mix studs, hoops and ear cuffs if you have multiple piercings

Step eight: consider mixed metals

Old-style advice often suggested choosing either gold or silver. Modern styling is more flexible. Mixing metals can look modern, intentional and versatile. Repeating each tone at least twice in one look can help to create cohesion as well as add a hint of uniqueness and style to your overall look. 

Step nine: introduce meaningful pieces

The most memorable jewellery often carried personal meaning. It’s those meaningful additions that can make your collection feel unique and everlasting. As such, consider adding engravable pieces, such as the ones we have here at Little Star Jewellery.

Step ten: shop more intentionally 

When looking for new pieces to add to your jewellery collection, don’t always buy the pieces that you like. Think more about their versatility, their wearability and how often you’d actually wear them. In addition, ask yourself the following questions before making another jewellery purchase:

• Will I wear this often?
• Does it match my everyday outfits and style?
• Is it comfortable to wear?
• Does it suit my lifestyle?
• Is the quality worth the price tag?
• Does it fill a gap in my jewellery collection?

Step eleven: improve storage & organisation

Even the most beautiful jewellery can feel neglected when tangled or hidden in a drawer. The best way to prevent this is to improve storage. Refresh your collection with better storage, such as: velvet-lined trays, necklace hooks, ring organisers, earring stands, travel cases and drawer dividers. Place your most worn pieces towards the front of the collection.

Step twelve: rotate pieces seasonally 

Just as your wardrobe changes by season, so should your jewellery collection. As such, during spring/summer, opt for lighter tones and metals, like silver and platinum, and during autumn/winter, choose heavier chains and richer tones, like yellow gold or rose gold. 

Common mistakes to avoid when refreshing your jewellery collection

Now that you know how to refresh your jewellery collection effectively, there are some things that you need to avoid in order to make sure that you continue to grow your collection and keep it current and classic. Some mistakes to avoid when it comes to refreshing your jewellery collection:

• Buying too many trend pieces at once
• Ignoring comfort and wearability
• Keeping broken items indefinitely
• Purchasing duplicates unnecessarily
• Choosing low quality over long-term value
• Forgetting storage and maintenance 

Classic jewellery pieces to add to your collection

Refreshing your jewellery collection is beneficial for your wardrobe and fashion choices, and so adding classic, timeless pieces can be beneficial for versatility. Here at Little Star Jewellery, we have a wide range of timeless jewellery pieces available, all of which offer classic elegance no matter the decade. Some of the classic jewellery pieces you can add to your collection from Little Star Jewellery are as follows:

Helene – Ladies Open Star Necklace 

A striking necklace made from quality sterling silver, the open star pendant makes for an understated look that can be worn with any outfit. The Helene open star necklace is a timeless piece that only enhances your current jewellery collection. 

Ariel – Diamond Pavé Heart Bracelet

A delicate yet dazzling piece, this Ariel diamond pavé heart bracelet is crafted in solid sterling silver and plated with platinum to give it a hint of understated glitz and glamour. Set with fourteen diamonds, this bracelet is elegant, endearing and everlasting, making it a classic addition to your jewellery collection.

Vesper – Diamond ID Bracelet 

A timeless piece giving a modern edge, this Vesper diamond ID bracelet is crafted in quality sterling silver and finished with a luxurious platinum plating for a high-shine and refined look. Despite its modernity, a single sparkling diamond is set in the plate, which is also engravable. This makes this piece both sentimental and timeless, remaining in your collection for years to come. 

Elle – Star Stud Earrings

These classic silver star stud earrings are the perfect piece to add to your jewellery collection. This is because they’re simple, elegant and offer endless versatility when you need it most. Ideal for children and adults alike, these stud earrings are a timeless must-have for anyone’s jewellery collection.

Freya – Medium Heart Stud Earrings

Our Freya heart stud earrings are made simply from quality sterling silver. They’re dainty and sophisticated, with the ability to be paired effortlessly with any outfit. They can be taken from day to night, glinting either in the path of daytime sunshine or the shimmer of a disco ball.

Evie – Little Star Pearl Earrings

Classic pearl stud earrings with the ability to shimmer with a simple tilt of the head, these earrings are both classic and timeless. A modest size that oozes versatility, these pearl earrings offer nothing but style and sophistication for children and adults.

If you’d like further information about our stunning jewellery pieces for women to add to your collection, whether it be necklaces, bracelets or earrings, then get in touch with a member of our friendly professional team today – we also offer jewellery for men, children and babies, including Christening bracelets and matching Mummy & Me and Daddy & Me sets.