What makes statement jewellery so special is that it is not designed to fit around a specific look, outfit or costume but is designed to fit around you and how you want to express yourself.
Whilst jewellery has always been innately expressive from the era of the fibula through to today, the focus has shifted and expanded, with a lot of people who would have never previously given their jewellery box much of a thought taking their selections more seriously.
The epitome of this is the rise of statement jewellery as a key, attention-grabbing part of your personal style. They often personalise your look and can even add a huge impact to a relatively rudimentary outfit.
As they are designed to be worn for everything from casual meetings to formal dinner parties, choosing the right first piece can be essential to shaping your style.
To help with this, here are some top tips when choosing a first piece of statement jewellery, whether you are opting for an intricate bespoke signet ring, shimmering diamond locket or distinctive bangle or bracelet.
What Is A Statement Piece?
Defining what a statement piece is can be difficult because, whilst the concept of jewellery that stands out has existed since antiquity, the actual term has existed for less than two decades.
Statement jewellery, as we understand the concept, rose to prominence in the 2010s alongside the rise of social media as a powerful influence on trends and styles.
The term itself is believed to have arisen with street-style photography, a trend on blogs and early social media sites which focused on the eye-catching fashion of everyday people.
A statement piece is usually the central focus which shapes how you look, and as long as it stands out, it can be a necklace, a brooch, a bangle, a signet ring, anything.
What Qualities Does A Statement Piece Need To Have?
The first step to choosing the right statement piece is to think about what statement you want it to make. The term itself is often overused because statement jewellery can often be relative; someone’s audacious chunky necklace can be someone else’s statement piece.
However, whilst there are a lot of relative elements of statement jewellery, there are three major defining rules to think about first when choosing your first piece or getting it designed by a luxury bespoke jeweller:
It Needs To Be Striking
The first and most obvious rule is that it needs to stand out tremendously. Jewellery often oscillates between overstated and understated looks, but maximalism is a key aspect of statement jewellery.
Whilst you do not need to wear a chunky ring or fit a particularly large central stone, it needs to stand out and draw the eye.
If it is the first part of your outfit that anyone notices, it is probably a statement piece.
It Needs To Bring An Outfit Together
On the subject of outfits, a statement piece elevates rather than complements; rather than fitting a particular theme or matches one or two of your clothes, it should turn the typically rudimentary into the extraordinary.
The difference between a statement piece and any other beautiful piece of your collection is that it will turn jeans and a t-shirt, a little black dress or even an athleisure tracksuit into a distinctive outfit simply by its presence.
It Needs To Express Something About You
A piece of statement jewellery says as much about the wearer as it does the designer and the materials behind it, and it is often the reason why a perfect statement piece is designed with you in mind.
Whether it is ornate and Art Nouveau-inspired or something more straightforward but similarly iconic, a statement jewellery piece showcases what matters to you and what you want other people to notice first about yourself the first time they see you.
It should also feel natural and right for you; if you feel overly self-conscious about wearing it, then it might not necessarily be the right option for you.
Top Tips When Choosing Your First Piece Of Statement Jewellery
As long as you follow the three loosely defined rules above, you have a lot of room to play around with the concept of statement jewellery, but here are some top tips for deciding on your first piece:
-
Start with the basics. Rings, bracelets, and chain necklaces work for almost everyone, and they give you scope to play around with the details.
-
Try costume jewellery if you are uncertain. Opting for a cheap piece similar in style to what you had in mind will at least let you envision if it truly fits you.
-
Think long-term. A statement piece should be built to last and have room to be adjusted and resized.
-
Set up your budget straight away. There are amazing pieces in a wide number of price ranges, but know how much you expect to pay before you buy anything.