Forever pieces: jewelry-box essentials

Whether you gravitate towards delicate chains, vintage-inspired pieces, rare gemstones or the ineluctable allure of yellow gold, there's no doubt that a show-stopping piece of jewelry can elevate any outfit – and, if styled correctly, add a contemporary twist. Give your jewelry collection a boost by investing in one-of-a-kind pieces that boast infinite style mileage. Minimalists will love the ability of colored stones to enliven monochrome ensembles, while directional dressers will enjoy the aplomb that a carefully curated selection of statement pieces can lend any outfit. If your objective is to imbue your everyday look with subtle refinement, then delicate jewels – and lots of them – will do the trick, as layering continues to be one of the biggest jewelry trends of the season. Scroll down to discover the most covetable pieces by the industry's most in-demand designers – and how we'll be wearing them this season…

A sprinkling of delicate jewels is a failsafe way to add an air of romance to even the most quotidian of ensembles. Consider a crisp, white shirt or a cozy knit the perfect blank canvas. Renowned for the masterful way he blends eastern and western design, Mizuki Goltz’s necklaces feature a mix of fresh-water pearls and diamonds. When it comes to selecting the perfect combination, look for chains of different lengths. This not only ensures minimal tangling, but mean each of these exquisite pieces can be truly seen. The same goes for bracelets; contrasting chunky cuff styles with finer designs makes for a compelling mix. LA-based designer Sydney Evan is an expert in both. Her talismanic creations, featuring rare materials like dentrite opal and stone, are conversation-starters. Finally, don’t forget that layering is a styling trick that extends to earrings. A-list favorite Larkspur & Hawk are famed for their vintage-inspired pieces. However, mis-matching their quartz earrings feels like an utterly of-the-moment way to wear these classic designs.

Over the millennia, colored gemstones have been attributed with myriad magical powers, including the ability to bring the wearer everything from wealth and wisdom to everlasting love. While these timeless stones never go out of style. However, in recent seasons, the dominance of white diamonds has meant there are fewer colored pieces on the market – meaning that investing in technicolor designs could give your jewelry collection a real point of difference. Plus, a burst of color is an effortless way to brighten up any look – from silk eveningwear to an all-black ensemble. Suzanne Kalan, whose emerald- and sapphire-encrusted bracelets are handmade in LA, has spearheaded this movement. Her rainbow designs never fail to delight. If it’s organic shapes you’re after, then Melissa Joy Manning’s eclectic, multi-stone earrings – which resemble raw gems – are the perfect addition to any outfit. Like Andrea Fohrman, whose cosmic-inspired designs have work for any and every occasion, she also designs exclusively using recycled gold.

Contrary to popular belief, ‘everyday’ pieces don’t have to be diminutive in size. If you’re looking for impactful designs that work with everything in your closet, two designer’s worth taking note of are Spinelli Kilcollin and Carolina Bucci. A chunky ring (or three) is a guaranteed way to add polish to everything from a white-tee-and-jeans look to androgynous tailoring. Spinelli’s diamond-dusted, multi-way pieces – ideal for anyone who wants to take the legwork out of layering – are designed with the modern woman in mind. The Libra ring can be worn on one finger or across three. The result? A piece that can evolve with your style. London-based Bucci is known for her signature ‘Florentine finish’. This textured gold lends itself to organic statement pieces that are vacation essentials, as the warm hue is the perfect complement to sun-kissed skin. If it’s your first foray into chunkier jewels, just one of these statement pieces may be enough, but for directional dressers we’d recommend maximum embellishment.