Three Simple Questions to Help You Buy the Perfect Piece of Jewelry

Wearing jewelry should be easy.

You shouldn’t have to take it off the second your real life kicks in. No matter how sparkly or trendy, if it’s uncomfortable or high-maintenance, you’re not going to enjoy wearing it.

So how do you figure out what really works for you? Here are the three questions I ask—both for clients, and for myself:

How active are you, really?

Whenever I design a ring, my first question is always: how active are you with your hands?

People often say “not very,” but then mention gardening every day, lifting weights, or—in one memorable case—singing in the church choir.

The first two probably make immediate sense to you, but the choir-singing was a sneaky one. It’s the true story of one of my repair customers who was constantly coming to me with rings that were damaged. Stones loose. Shanks square instead of round. Missing prongs.

After some detective work, we realized that she was always clapping her hands as she sang. Her rings were literally being smashed together in time with the music.

Mystery solved.

So take a good, honest look at how you spend your day!

If you’re lifting weights, gardening, chasing kids, or working with your hands in any way, sturdier pieces are your best friend. Think stud earrings, solid bangles, simple bands, or low-profile settings like bezels instead of prongs. They’ll keep up without you without snagging or scratching.

If you truly are gentler on your jewelry, you can play with delicate chains, ornate settings, or dangly earrings that wouldn’t survive a high-motion lifestyle.

It’s not about limiting yourself—it’s about making sure your jewelry works with your life, not against it.

What’s your style?

Jewelry is one of the quickest ways to show who you are without saying a word. I always ask whether a piece is meant for everyday wear, or special occasions.

If you’re a minimalist, that could mean micro hoops for daily wear, or sleek drop earrings for a more formal look.

Maximalism more your style? Stack those rings and layer those chains to your heart’s content, and mix bold gemstones for a flashier look. More is better, as long as it makes you happy.

Are you looking for timeless jewelry? Diamonds are iconic in tennis bracelets, solitaire pendants, or studs. They’re great for every outfit and any occasion.

Once you know your vibe, it’s a lot easier to find something that feels right for you.

How much maintenance do you want to do?

Everyone thinks they’ll be ok with regular maintenance- until they pick a style that’s too delicate for their lifestyle and suddenly they’re at the shop getting their jewelry repaired every month.

It becomes annoying and expensive and you won’t even want to wear those pieces any more.

So be honest with yourself!

If you’re ok knowing a piece will require consistent maintenance with daily wear, you can choose a delicate chain or a ring with a fiery opal or ten gazillion tiny stones all over the place.

If you hate maintenance and want to just throw your jewelry on and forget about it, you have to understand that the same ring with ten gazillion tiny stones all over the place should be saved for special occasions, and you should go with a piece that’s sturdier, or has simpler settings or no stones at all.

Jewelry is meant to be enjoyed! It’s better to find he right piece of jewelry to wear every day than to keep a beautiful piece locked away in a drawer because it feels too fragile.

It’s time to shop!

Asking those three questions is a great start, since you can use your answers to find the perfect balance in jewelry pieces that excite you and fit your lifestyle.

I’d recommend picking a few everyday staples that you can always rely on, a few pieces that are less practical but make you feel incredible, and a few fun pieces that are ok splurges for the short term. 

And as you find the pieces that you’re constantly drawn to, that are comfortable, easy and joyful to wear without being a headache to maintain, you’ll know exactly what styles to confidently buy going forward.

My goal when I design is always the same: create something that feels like your style and can handle your day-to-day. That way, it doesn’t sit in a box. It becomes part of your story.

Because jewelry should fit into your life- not the other way around!

If you’re ready for a piece that feels like it was made for your life, you’ll find it at www.allieperrydesigns.com.