Do you have a cluttered or disorganized jewelry box? In last weeks blog, I walked you through how to sort your jewelry into different groups, and this week, I will give you some options to consider for each group. Here is a link to part one: www.AngelaCisneros.com/post/cleaning-out-your-jewelry-box-part-one
(This is a ring that I restyled for a client using three generations of her jewelry!)
By now, you should have four groups of jewelry: Regularly Worn; Like but Don’t Wear; Sentimental Not Your Style; Don’t Like Don’t Wear.
Regularly Worn: You don’t have to do much with this group! You may even have added a few pieces that you really like but forgot about because they were hidden in all your jewelry box clutter. This group of jewelry should go at the top of your jewelry box, so that you see them every time you open your jewelry box. This is a good time to take these pieces into a trusted jeweler to have them checked and cleaned.
Don’t Like Don’t Wear: Some of these pieces you may want to gift to family members. Be sure to write a note of where you got them from so that the giftee has its history. Some of the pieces you may want to take to a trusted jeweler to purchase the gold or platinum. You can have them give you back the gemstones so that you can do something else with them. If you are having a hard time parting with any of these pieces, it may be because you have a sentimental attachment to them. In that case, put them in another group!
Like but Don’t Wear: The most obvious reason for not wearing this jewelry is because it needs to be repaired or cleaned. Put these pieces in a Ziplock bag to take to your trusted jeweler. You might think that some of the pieces are “too fancy” to wear and that you need a special occasion, but you actually don’t. All it takes is one decision to wear your most extravagant piece with a cute sweater or dress. It will elevate your day! And yes, diamonds go with blue jeans! You may want to pass on some of these pieces to family as well. Some ladies feel like they have more jewelry than they can wear, and if these pieces don’t fit in your top 10, it might be time to lovingly gift them with a note on their history and meaning to you. Or, you may want to add it to the next group!
Sentimental Not Your Style: These are the pieces you can take to a jewelry designer, like me, to restyle into a piece where the sentiment and style are equally loved. We can use the gemstones from these pieces to make one or multiple pieces. It can be very moving to wear jewelry that links you to your family and history, but also connects with you to the person you are today. After seeing earrings we restyled, one of my clients said, “Now, I have my mom with me where ever I go!” That made me tear up! I have had women who grew and transformed after a divorce, so we used the diamonds from their wedding set to create something new. For them, it represented rebirth and strength.
Bonus: Treasure Box! You might have some or a lot of jewelry that is costume. Please continue wearing the ones you love, but you might have some that you no longer wear. If you have children or grandchildren, create a Treasure Box for them to play with. The “Tooth fairy” used to gift me jewelry instead of cash, and I loved it! You may inspire the family’s next jewelry aficionado.
By now, I hope you have some ideas of what to do with the jewelry you are not wearing. This process can take some time, so don’t feel like you have to rush it, but don’t forget about it either! Where ever and from whomever you received this jewelry, the intent was to wear it. You can do that by choosing to wear it, gifting it to family, or selling the gold and platinum to fund restyling other pieces.
I would love to help you with jewelry as we move into 2024! Angela Cisneros Jewelry Concierge brings back the joy and confidence of jewelry shopping, so that you can celebrate with ease! My by-appointment approach means:
One-on-one appointments (personal attention and no crowds!)
Discretion and privacy (surprises remain surprises!)
Expert help from a Graduate Gemologist with 26 years of experience (yep, that’s me!)
Learn more about me and my process: www.AngelaCisneros.com
Book your FREE appointment with me today! www.AngelaCisneros.com/book-appointment
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