3 Simple Rules I Follow Before Buying New Jewelry
March 3, 2025
When I was younger, I used to buy a lot of costume jewelry. Back then, I loved having different pieces that matched different outfits and wore different jewelry everyday. It wasn’t until my KonMari Tidying Festival when I realized many of those pieces didn’t spark joy long term - some were styles that simply didn’t appeal to me anymore and others were rusted or tarnished so they were no longer wearable. Letting go of so many pieces taught me how it’s important to shop intentionally and mindfully if I no longer want to waste my money on items that will just be discarded after a few months or years. Shop with a long term mindset was a game changer. I’ve established three simple rules to guide my jewelry purchases and now take a much more mindful approach before adding anything new to my jewelry collection.
Following these 3 simple rules has changed the way I shop for jewelry. Every piece I own now brings me joy, serves a purpose, and integrates effortlessly into my life. By prioritizing longevity, timeless styles, and lifestyle compatibility, I ensure that each new addition is a meaningful investment rather than an impulse buy. My rules are as follows:
Rule #1: Will this item last if I take care of it?
Longevity is an important factor in guiding my purchases. I want pieces that are made of high-quality materials, such as solid gold or sterling silver to ensure they last. I also consider whether the jewelry is repairable and how much maintenance it requires. Some questions I ask myself includes Is this piece made of quality materials that won’t tarnish or break easily? Will it withstand everyday wear? If this item requires special care - am I capable of following the directions to care for it properly? By prioritizing longevity, I put my money towards pieces that I can cherish for years rather than short term joy.
Rule #2: Is this item timeless?
Before purchasing a new piece, I reflect on whether I would have loved it 10 years ago and if I will still love it 10 years from now. As I get older, I’ve noticed that my personal style hasn’t changed much and I prefer timeless designs that I won’t get tired of. I think it’s important to focus on timeless design for jewelry because good quality jewelry should stand the test of time, both in style and quality. It’s not something I shop for often so my approach is more about building a carefully curated collection. This is why I tend to opt for pieces that seamlessly blend with my existing collection rather than trendy items that might feel outdated in a year or two.
Rule #3: Is this suitable for my lifestyle?
As a KonMari Consultant, I think about how my items support my ideal lifestyle. If a piece is too fussy, uncomfortable, or requires constant adjustments, it doesn’t align with my active lifestyle. This is why I choose jewelry that is easy to wear, lightweight, and low-maintenance and avoid large, dangly earrings that might get caught in my hair or clothing. If a piece doesn’t seamlessly integrate into my life (or most of my life), I know it’s not the right fit for me.
My new Linjer pieces:
By applying these 3 rules, I recently added a couple of new pieces of jewelry to my collection from Linjer. If you haven’t heard of Linjer, they are a company that offers affordable luxury level quality jewelry. Sustainability is also a core value of the brand.
Alva Chain Earrings: These delicate earrings feature small diamonds on a fine chain, offering subtle movement without being dangly. Made of 14K gold, they are durable and perfect for everyday wear. They also pass my longevity, timelessness, and lifestyle suitability tests!
Jemma Necklace: I had been searching for a delicate layering necklace for years, and this one fit the bill perfectly. With five tiny diamonds and an adjustable (16-18”) chain length, it pairs beautifully with my existing everyday necklace that I never take off. Like the earrings, it’s made of 14K gold, ensuring durability and timeless appeal.
Mini Travel Jewelry Case in Cognac: In addition to jewelry, I also added a mini travel jewelry case. I don’t own a lot of jewelry but I like to travel with the pieces I have so I’ve been looking for a small jewelry case for a while as most are too large for my needs.
If you’re interested in checking out Linjer, you can use my discount code <HELENYOUN> for a special offer.