Having a large jewelry collection is advantageous if you like to experiment or mix and match between multiple outfits. Many women (and some men) amass quite a varied collection of costumes and fine jewelry.
There is something emotive about a piece of jewelry that means something special to you at a specific time in your life, but as more and more pieces enter the collection and your choices get wider, the truth is that some pieces are going to get pushed further to the back of the drawer.
We can’t wear all of the jewelry all of the time so every jewelry box from Paris to London to New York has plenty of pieces that don’t often see the light of day.
Having too much fine and vintage jewelry is a nice problem, but it can still be tricky trying to decide what to do with everything. What do you do when someone gifts you a brand new pair of rose gold earrings when you already have some that you love?
Like your wardrobe, your jewelry collection should be culled periodically but how? There are five 5 essential questions to ask yourself. The answers can point you in the right direction.
Does It Fit Your Personal Style?
Does the item fit your style or is it something you wore when you liked to cultivate a certain look in the past? Everybody undergoes various style evolutions throughout their life, and something that you loved and wore every day five years ago might be far removed from your look today.
Another scenario could be that you were gifted a piece of jewelry that you never liked in the first place. The bottom line is that if the jewelry does not spark joy and you don’t think you will ever wear it in the future, then it is time to let it go.
It can be as simple as the fact that your collection is based around yellow gold and there is a rogue piece of white gold that you bought because it was by a jewelry designer you loved at the time. Or maybe you have a diamond bracelet that you’ve always been unsure about because it never had GIA certification.
Do you still want or need these pieces?
Would You Prefer A Different Version Of The Same Item?
Perhaps your style has changed a little bit, but not too much? It might be that you are looking for a different version of the same kind of item. You might find yourself in the market for a different color, different shape, different metal, different gemstone, etc. If this is the case, then the signs point toward you being an ideal candidate for a jewelry upgrade!
When Was The Last Time You Wore It?
Think about when was the last time you wore the piece of jewelry. If you haven’t even thought about wearing it for six months, then it is a clear sign it is out of or has never been in favor. When space in the home is limited to start with, why would you take up room and cause clutter with jewelry pieces that you don’t want, like, or need?
Are You Saving It For A Particular Special Occasion?
The only real exception we can think of for the previous question is if you are holding on to a piece of jewelry that you intend to wear for a special occasion. This will be common for things like heirloom pieces like engagement rings or wedding bands that you save for a particular time in your life. Some pieces may be too precious (or valuable) to be worn every day and are special occasion pieces only. If you have items like this in your collection, then we think you are entitled to keep them even if you know you won’t be wearing them for a little while yet!
Does It Have An Emotional Importance For You?
The last question is whether to not the piece of jewelry holds any kind of emotional value for you. It might have been a gift from somebody who is incredibly close to your heart, it might be an inherited item from a friend or family member who is longer with you or it might be an item that signifies a particular time in your life for which you appreciate some physical mementos.
If any of these are true, then it can be a good reason for keeping. However, on the side of the coin, if you are holding onto a diamond engagement ring or wedding ring that reminds of you an old romance that you would rather forget, then go ahead and get rid of it to emotionally heal!
What To Do With The Jewelry?
Once you have been truthful with yourself in your answers to these questions, you can start to divide up your collection into categories that essentially fall into three choices: keep it, get rid of it or change it.
Each item needs to be considered carefully. There is a significant difference between a pair of stud earrings featuring rubies, a pair of sterling silver dangly earrings, and a moonstone ring, just to name a few examples.
Keep It
If you cannot part with the piece of jewelry, then keep it. You don’t have to get rid of something you love and wear or if there is a strong emotional attachment. A good ‘halfway house’ solution is to take it out of your everyday jewelry box and store it somewhere else making space for something you wear regularly.
Sell It
If you have fallen out of love with the jewelry and do not see yourself wearing it again, an option is to sell it.
There is a strong market for vintage jewelry. All of the raw materials have a value so what price you might receive for a particular piece depends on the gold karat and weight, clarity, and carat of a diamond or other gemstone and any design element that might attract a premium. Condition is also a factor, so a gold ring with prongs bent out of shape around the solitaire is less desirable than one in pristine condition. At the very least, any gold jewelry or silver item will have a scrap value. Consider selling it to a reputable jewelry store where you can get a full and fair appraisal for your jewelry.
Do a Trade-In
There are online and in-person spaces that are dedicated to the practice of trading and swapping old jewelry. Take some time to find a few of these spaces and see if there is anything that catches your eye for which you could offer your own pieces in a traditional swap deal. As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!
Up-Cycle It
Take your old jewelry and turn it into something completely different that complements your current style. Moyen & Co. will buy your unwanted jewelry pieces and redesign them into new jewelry items, giving you unique pieces for your collection. We’ll custom redesign your jewelry piece into something you’ll want to keep for generations afterward.
The Bottom Line
Jewelers design, make and sell jewelry for it to be enjoyed. It shouldn’t be purchased just to sit in a box or gather dust in a drawer. Don’t clutter your life with unwanted pieces. Keep and wear the pieces you love and do something useful with those you don’t.
So, what do you do with the jewelry pieces you’re okay departing with? Here at Moyen & Co., we offer full jewelry services for all your needs. Whether you’re looking to sell, trade, or remake it into something completely new and different, we’ve got you covered. Visit our website for more information or schedule an appointment with us and we’ll help you consider the options for what best fits your needs.
