Everyone has their thing—mine is jewelry. I am of the opinion that the simplest of outfits are up-leveled by gold, diamonds, and gemstones; a humble sweatsuit can still turn heads when accessorized with an iconic earring.
Perhaps more importantly, fine jewelry sits at the intersection of aesthetics and capital. Gold trades off global markets; diamonds behave like tiny alternative assets; and brands are increasingly backed by private equity and venture money chasing hard-luxury returns.
Over the years, I’ve quietly built my own mini portfolio in the form of a daily stack, prioritizing pieces that compound in utility (I wear them constantly), durability (they survive toddlers and TSA), and, when possible, underlying material value.
The best part is, I’ve become an expert in sourcing the biggest bang for your buck and melding high-low without sacrificing on quality or longevity. Without further ado, allow me to curate your stack for you.
Earrings
The pièce de résistance in any ear stack is a solid diamond stud. They brighten your eyes and frame your face; arguably, they’re the most universally flattering earring. The size, however, is up for debate.
I opt for big, but I’ve seen some chic small studs. (Bonus points if you have multiple piercings and can sport a spattering of stones.) Personally, I like my ears to look like stars in the night sky.
Necklaces
The foundation of any strong neck stack is a tennis necklace. I love a graduated look, but a classic four-prong setting will never fail you. The best part is you can get a beautiful piece at a variety of price points.
Next, you need a statement pendant necklace. I have a chunky diamond pear pendant bezel set in white gold and it’s perfect in every way. It’s even detachable, so I can swap the chain for a different look—this is key, as it allows me to dress it up or down.
A pendant can easily lean "special occasion," so it’s critical that it’s interchangeable. I currently have mine on an Omega chain that sits just at the hollow in my throat, but for summer, I imagine it’d be unbelievably cool on paracord.
Finally—forgive the cheesy mom in me—but if you have kids, a name necklace is still cute. The key here is to select the gold shade that best matches your skin tone. I love how mine looks like it’s floating across my collarbone—a bit like a sparkly tattoo.
Bracelets
I’m currently sporting a more delicate look on my wrists with a simple tennis bracelet, but I so admire the women with stacks and stacks of bangles and bracelets. It gives such a collected look. My dream is to add to my wrists with commemorative pieces over time. In my younger years, I opted for the classics: Cartier Love, Van Cleef Alhambra—but my taste now is a bit more unique. I have my eye on these.
Rings
Now, in my humble opinion, less is more when it comes to rings. All you really need is a solid eternity band and a statement pinky ring.
Ultimately, the smartest stack isn’t the most expensive one; it’s the one with a thesis. Buy metals and silhouettes that behave like real assets, layer in lab-grown and trend-centric pieces where you want experimentation, and let emotional upside (your baby’s name necklace, the promotion bracelet, an heirloom signet) be the part of the portfolio you never intend to sell.
In a world where everything is financialized, there’s something quietly powerful about having your sharpest investment decisions decorating your wrists and collarbones, accruing interest in the form of memory, identity, and daily enjoyment.
