How to start building a fine jewelry collection

With the most versatile and straightforward basics

This edition of The Cereal Aisle is brought to you by Adina Reyter, an L.A.-based fine jewelry brand that specializes in customization.

The objective of wearing jewelry as I understand it is two-fold. You wear it for sentimentality (it’s an easy way to show your love for the people you care for most — either because you’re decorated by qualities that belong to them:

Here for example are two signet rings commemorating the zodiac signs of Taurus (Abie) and Pisces (my daughters) stacked one on top of each other 

Or because they’ve either been passed down or because of the plans you have to create your own heirlooms — to pass the pieces down for yourself.

Beads from the bead party collection — the dice is like a reminder to take risks as you go, and to have faith in the outcome (sometimes you’ve just go to roll!) and the letters could spell out my initials or my daughters initials, so they could be a perfect heirloom in the making

The other reason is for the aesthetic pleasure of adding a new dynamic to your outfit. This could mean amping up something that’s pretty casual, toning down something that’s a little more formal or most straightforwardly, as I tend to use jewelry, as a way to bring this sort of feminine attention to your fingers and wrists, which are almost always moving and drawing attention — so why not decorate them?

There’s just something soft about watching a bracelet roll up and down the lower arm as it moves.

The rolo chain and Italian chain link bracelets

The best place to start when you’re building a fine jewelry collection is with the everyday pieces — the kind of stuff you will know you can wear day in and out with limited friction, which will also add an element of something new or different to whatever else you’re wearing.

Those pieces are:

1. A classic signet ring (styled on the pinky for me, could be another finger for you; recently obsessed with these dogs).

   

2. A solid chain bracelet to wear with your signet.

   

3. A pair of small hoops — not quite huggies, but not Hoops either.

   

4. A chain for your neck, at least 18 inches long, so your neck line isn’t choked-off when you’re wearing an open neckline.

I made the neck chain even longer here by clipping the bracelet into it — that is also always an option.

On a more casual outfit, the jewelry plays more of a supporting role —

Hoops, necklace, bracelet, rings here. Khaite tank top, Jeanerica shorts, By Malene Birger belt and some comparable sunglasses

Adding a bit of shine to the look. It pops more in the summer against sun-kissed skin but I will also say, the gold pops on a simple knit:

The ‘Riviera’ necklace styled with the chain link can be found here

Skall Studios turtleneck (similar here), men’s Levi’s jeans, Soeur sandals

Per the rings: you’ll probably want to start with one — I started stacking them when I saw two of these zodiac signets styled over each other:

They’re just small enough to wear two at a time, but not too small that they don’t hold their own ground worn solo. Or maybe you go for one zodiac and if you’re a dog person, one of these guys:

Hi bud!

Then in terms of bracelet — you can opt for a classic chain link, or choose something round link (like the above and below), which has more Italian flair.

Round-link bracelet, with a butterfly charm hooked into the hoop

By summer, you might prefer to play around with a full strand of beads for color, or to add charms to the various pieces you’ve been wearing (see: butterfly in hoop, which can latch into a necklace, bracelet or the earrings)

But until then, a removable jacket could be enough to supplement the forthcomingness of your carefree attitude.

I like a pair of simple, small gold hoops because they’re as easy to wear as a pair of studs, but produce more edge, as opposed to polish.

The straightforward way to style them

The more extra way to style them (with a good headband here).

Ditto that for a longer, smaller chain — it doesn’t cut your neck off. A shorter necklace (satin cord) does work with a different neckline — example:

Satin cord, beads

And can be worn in tons of diff ways. Most recently, I styled a cord around my ankle with some of the beads.

Footage of beads around ankle

And the rest of the outfit — similar sweater here, Gimaguas shorts, Khaite sandals

These guys can be looped through the hoops too a la:

Here’s the full look btw:

Bobkova jacket and ribbed knit jumpsuit, Khaite sandals

Overall, the pieces serve the same function here, subtly adding a bit more movement, making the clothes feel more personal to the wearer.

You won’t get a huge statement from these cues, more like a subtle element of personal style that is easy enough to keep locked in (no need to take off to sleep/shower). And then as you keep going, you play.

Maybe that means poking the hoops through the same ear and leaving one bare, clipping the bracelet into the necklace to make it a little longer. After time, you start to build on the pieces too: you can add a second chain or some beads/charms/a little more shine for your neck. (I have my eye on this ear cuff.)

It’s all pretty customizable, which I think is what makes it so intimate.

As a reminder that’s:

1. Signet ring

2. Chain bracelet

3. Chain necklace (can clip the above two together and make a whole new piece!)

4. Little hoops

And that’s all I have for you today.

Questions, comments, hit me up below. They’re on for both paying and non-paying subscribers today.

Enjoy the weather!,

Leandra