Building a Jewelry Wardrobe

Just as every woman needs a pairor twentyof jeans, a few pairs of black shoes (at the very least: ballet flats, thongs, kitten heels and stilettos), a cocktail dress, a few basic skirts, a chic business suit, a cardigan sweaterI could go on but you get my point. Just as every woman needs these fashion staples, she needs a few jewelry basicsseven actuallywith which to accessorize her outfits.

Like a custom paint job on a sleek Harley, accessories personalize your style and tell the world that you care enough to go the extra mile for appearances sake. And we all know that appearance counts. Within the first three seconds of taking you in, people make judgments about you that you usually cannot reverse. So why not make a good first impression with a look that is polished, put together, and says that you pay attention to style and detail? Still with me? Good. Here are seven jewelry staples no well-dressed woman should be without. Choose any one of them to accessorize in a snap, and to ensure that snap judgments made about you reflect who you really are.

Diamond studs

Anyone can pull off this classic accessory. Diamond studs are elegant, timeless and simple enough to be worn with other jewelry and any style of hair or dress. Look for clear, sparkling gems with at least carat total weight, set in white gold or platinum (not yellow gold) to show off their colorlessness. As for shape, round studs will always be in style, but princess cut styles are popularand classic too. Look for screw backs to help ensure that you wont lose your investment, and make sure the setting is secure (I prefer four prongs to three).

Be warned that quality diamond studs can be pricey. Blue Nile.com has a beautiful pair of carat tw diamond studs with screw backs for $600; Tiffany & Co. sells a beautiful pair of .22 total carat weight diamonds set it platinum for $875. Cant afford these beauties? My sparkly CZ look-alikes get the job done, and cost under $40. And I dont have to worry about losingor insuring them.

Pearl studs

Like diamond studs, pearl studs can be worn with every style of dress, and with all types of jewelry. Unlike diamond studs, pearl studs are surprisingly affordable, especially when you choose freshwater pearls, which today can rival the beauty of their saltwater cousins. Look for round white gems that are well-matched; these are classics and wont go out of style. Beware of purchasing button-shaped (flattened) pearls when you think youre getting round. Choose a back that is comfortable, secure and comprised of a metal your skin can tolerate, such as white gold, yellow gold or platinum.

When wearing pearls, keep in mind that the gems are typically associated with a demure, ladylike reputation, so theyre perfect for a job interview, wedding or other formal setting. Of course, classic pearls are perfect for daytime and casual events as well, and give the wearer a timeless, feminine look that is very polished.