Blinging in the New Year

I love bling. This is a relatively recent delight for me, since for years I was a fan of understated elegance. More often than not, I’d accessorize with simple bits of gold: a delicate chain around my neck or wrist…earrings that made only a soft and subtle statement. I’d always believed that gold was best suited to my olive coloring, so it was the only metal I ever wore.

Then one Christmas my husband gave me a pair of diamond stud earrings from Tiffany. Just seeing the little blue box made my heart race, and I was thrilled. They were set in silver, and they marked the beginning of my departure from gold. My dear friend Kim Vo had told me years earlier that people with olive skin have the advantage of being able to wear both gold and silver, so I started to experiment with the latter. Silver led to bling…serious bling…and I’ve never looked back.

I wear a lot of black and grey. I rarely wear patterns, so serious statement jewelry can make the difference between a plain, monochromatic look and a bold one. The pieces shown here aren’t very expensive—in fact, with only one exception, they range from about $30 to $125.

detail:

This is the only truly pricey piece, but since it was a tenth anniversary gift, the cost is irrelevant. (Kinda.) It’s a one-of-a-kind necklace designed by Lulu Frost, and it’s made from antique brooches.

Perhaps the best thing about bling is that it can take simple clothing to greater heights without costing a small fortune. It’s also a great way to keep clothing age appropriate without making the wearer disappear into the background.

I’ve found fabulous pieces at small, local jewelry stores…Bloomingdale’s (particularly the Aqua brand)…flea markets…online…and even at a funky little tourist shop in Omaha. To me, discovering an interesting piece at a reasonable price is like solving a crossword puzzle. It won’t change my life, but it’s certainly a satisfying experience.

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