The 6 Jewelry-Investment Pieces Every Collector Needs

Like deciding on signature colors for your wardrobe, adding colored gemstones to your collection begins with discovering which shades work for you, whether it’s the pink sapphires of Shay’s tennis necklace or the verdant hues of Marina B’s exquisite emerald bracelet. Buying for somebody else? Consider a gem that will complement the color of their eyes. “I have always loved using important colored stones in my pieces. There is something so special in each gem, a natural hue that will never be found again, and I think this resonates with our collectors, who are themselves so unique,” says Marina B’s creative director Guy Bedarida. “An emerald, the color of paradise, will mean something quite different than a fiery and passionate rubellite to the woman selecting a jewel, but any choice will be a declaration of her attitude to beauty,” he adds.

A diamond bracelet is one of the hardest-working pieces in any jewelry collection. Smart enough for the office and glamorous enough for black-tie dinners, it adds just the right amount of sparkle to your closet. “Diamond bracelets look great on everyone; they will never go out of style and can be worn day to night,” says Suzanne Kalan, who reinvents the classic style by using a mélange of her signature ‘Firework’ baguette-cut diamonds. “You can wear just one bracelet for a minimal look, or stack up several to make more of an impact. Just have fun with them; they’re so comfortable that you forget you have them on.”

Popularized during the 1920s Prohibition era, when flapper girls wore oversized rings to draw attention to their illicit drinks, cocktail rings are redolent of an era of bygone glamour. Forget less-is-more minimalism or dainty layers of diamonds; the joy of a cocktail ring is that you need only a single piece to make a statement. Irene Neuwirth’s designs are heirloom pieces of epic proportions, while Jacquie Aiche and David Yurman offer similarly captivating designs with boldly hued gems. For evening, cocktail rings are a no-brainer accessory, but, for true decadence, wear yours during the day, dressed down with jeans, a tee and a relaxed blazer.

Hoop earrings are a style perennial; no jewelry collection is complete without at least one pair. For such a simple design, they’re remarkably versatile: mid-sized gold hoops, such as L’Atelier Nawbar’s ‘Buoy’ earrings, are just as suited to a sweater and denim as they are to a chic jumpsuit in the evening, while lobes stacked with tiny ‘huggies’ are the modern way to wear diamonds all year round. For fall/winter ’25, the ultimate hoop-earring collection should also include oversized hoops, such as Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Pegasus’ style, plus a diamond-set design in the form of By Pariah’s celestial 14-karat recycled gold ‘Helix’ earrings, which are effortlessly modern but boast heirloom potential.

One of the biggest jewelry trends of recent years, the chain necklace is here to stay. “I think as the years suggest, a gold chain has and always will stand to uplift any outfit – outlasting seasons and trends,” says London-based designer Lucy Delius. “My ‘Trombone Chain’ was one of the first pieces I designed. The long, oval links are based on a Victorian gentleman’s watch chain; a silhouette that has stood the test of time and has been worn and repurposed for over a century,” she adds. Whether two-toned or diamond-encrusted, chains work best when worn casually (layer two or three over a white T-shirt or to add interest to weighty knits in colder months). Chunky chains also serve as the perfect industrial-chic counterpoint to elegant looks: David Yurman’s 18-karat gold and diamond ‘DY Mercer®’ necklace is a once-in-a-lifetime piece that will add an instant sparkle to any ensemble.

Dainty drop earrings have always evoked timeless elegance, but modern iterations feel cool and contemporary, too. Take Fernando Jorge’s ‘Disco Mini’ earrings from our NET SUSTAIN edit, for instance, which are detailed with diamond-encrusted beams inspired by optical illusions. “From the beginning, drop earrings have been an integral part of my fluid design aesthetic. I’ve always been drawn to their movement and sensuality, and how they frame the face and come to life with every gesture,” Jorge explains. “They have an elegance that catches light and attention effortlessly.” Don’t just save them for special occasions – they’re the perfect way to elevate a cashmere sweater or a crisp white shirt.