The Jewelry Staples Worth Owning, According to an Antique Jewelry Dealer
From cool-girl pearls to chunky chains and gold torques, I'd recommend starting with these.
As both a fashion editor as well as co-owner of antique and estate jewelry company Palley & Co., I’m constantly on the hunt for pieces that feel effortless, yet elevated.
While a special event might call for a pair of statement earrings, diamond rivière necklace (whether real or faux), or cocktail ring that catches the light from across the room, it’s important to start with a strong foundation.
An arsenal of jewelry staples doesn’t have to be basic. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Which is why I’ve curated a collection of must-haves that will take you from day to night, layer effortlessly, and allow you to master that chic je ne sais quoi with the quick snap of a clasp or slip of the wire.
From Victorian-inspired pansy earrings to chunky chains; cool-girl pearls, gold torques and more, build your style from the ground up.
The best part is? Everything here is under $500. So, whether you’re dipping your toe into the world of jewelry, want to try out a look without fully investing in it, or are a jewelry lover who is simply shopping on a budget, this is the collection for you.
No one does “cool” pearls quite like Sophia Bille Brahe. And, ringing in at just under $500, this single climbing ear cuff takes your grandmother’s favorite and makes it youthful with an ease few others can.
A single silver ring is effortlessly elegant. And, while you can certainly sport the simplicity of one, Sophie Buhai has crafted an organic shape that easily stacks in multiples for a chunkier look as well.
For those with multiple piercings, sometimes you just want to clip a single hoop into the layered holes and call it a day. Admiral Row has curated a collection for Gap, including a double pack of mini hoops that rings it at only $34.
In the world of making pearls cool again, Mateo has married the history of a small add-a-pearl-necklace to the ‘90s-era anklet trend, crafting one out of cultured pearls that feels ladylike — with a twist.
Add some color to your earring stack, especially in secondary holes that climb up your ear. Ariel Gordon has mixed multi colored tourmalines to craft the petals of a whimsical flower for that subtle pop, especially welcome during the summer.
The queen of hoops has a style for your every mood. Small, large, thin, chunky…the list goes on. My personal fashionable fave right about now is her “Lilly Mini” style, which are chunky, yet light on the ear, and reach to right above your chin-line for a head-turning look that’s still fit for everyday wear.
Colorful, elegant, and with just enough sparkle, Jia Jia has played to semi-precious stones’ best head-turning qualities for their army of easy-to-wear necklaces. Shop by birthstone for a sentimental pick, or collect multiples that are simply fit to your own personal style.
I’ve been on the hunt for a matching pair of Victorian pansies to turn into earrings for a few years, so when I spotted these, they became my perfect alternative to test-drive the look.
More than a decade later, I still love a Dior Tribales earring. The weight of a larger back and smaller front feels whimsical and youthful, yet classic and traditional, all at the same time.
Few craft costume jewelry quite like Oscar de la Renta. Statement earrings can be quite the expense, and the design house makes an oversized — often creatively colorful — pair ensure that all eyes are on you when you walk into the room.
I have a vintage watch fob necklace I wear every single day and this Laura Lombardi option is a great, affordable, equivalent. I love that the links alternate in size like a truly timeless style.
There’s nothing quite as classic as a diamond solitaire necklace. I particularly love it when the stones are set in a thin gold bezel. You’ll truly never take this necklace off. Whether you’re layering on top of it or wearing it solo, it will feel like a second skin from the moment you close the clasp.
Lean into the chunky beauty of silver with these double-hoop earrings. They feel like timeless classics, with updated charm, and you’ll find yourself reaching for these affordable baubles for morning, noon, and night.
Half the joy of a bracelet stack is the sound each layer makes as it knocks against the other. And these resin bangles do just that, with a satisfying clink that makes your chic presence known the moment you raise your hand in the air to give a wave.
I love a chunky signet ring, but this diamond-flanked style feels more stackable than ever with its elongated shape. Engrave your name, initials, a significant word, or even leave it blank with equal charm.
Curate your own charm collection, but add some weighty bursts of love by way of Roxanne Assoulin’s mini stone hearts. Shop one, shop multiples — and wear them on everything from a structured wire torque to a long naval-grazing chain.
Incorporate a little bit of Italian heritage into your jewelry look by reaching for a Venetian chain to wear around you neck. I love the weighty proportions of this one, paired with the short length that feels youthful and casual.
Few designers are having as much fun with enamelwork as Bea Bongiasca, and she is certainly one to watch. Whether you’re shopping for her just-over-$500 mis-matched flower earrings or simply adding a tiny bit of whimsy to a second hole with these looped favorites, you’ll quickly fall in love with her effortless use of color
While I only have one hole in each ear, I’m a little obsessed with others’ ear stacks. The ability to throw on an additional flash of something special without it becoming the main event is a blank canvas I envy. If it were me? I’d add a tiny, sparkling, diamond star.
This woven leather bracelet from Prada is like the adult version of the friendship bracelets we used to make as kids. But, with elevated appeal, it’s the perfect whimsical addition to your jewelry box this season and beyond.
Enamel is tricky when it comes to bracelets and rings that knock against surfaces all day long, but a necklace is a safe bet to infuse a little of that saturated color into your sparkly accessory for easy everyday wear.
I love Charlotte Chestnais for both her use of organic shapes as well as the ease with which she mixes metals. This ear cuff is an easy addition to your stack, no matter how many piercings you do or don’t have in your lobes, and the shape hugs your ear with a form that makes it feel as though it’s always been part of you.
Torques — aka gold wire chokers — are a great way to make even the most antique or dainty pendants feel modern and fresh. I love trading out a traditional chain for this more structured collar from time to time, even wearing it without a pendant at all when I just want some extra luster.
Let your jewelry pack an extra punch with this chunky three-in-one gold-toned ring. Weighty, hefty, and organically shaped, this since easy-to-wear piece brings Sézane’s cool-girl Parisian vibe to your look no matter where you’re headed.
Whether high-summer or the dead of winter, these turquoise flowers bring all the lightness of warm weather style. With an oversized shape and drop silhouette, they’re perfect for effortless day-to-night wear.
