(Courtesy of Net-a-Porter)
Imagine opening your jewelry box and seeing nothing but pieces you genuinely love to wear—the kind of jewelry you actually reach for instead of just admiring from afar.
Every wardrobe deserves a handful of timeless classics that make styling as effortless as slipping on your favorite jeans. Just like a perfect pair of blue jeans or a crisp white tee, certain jewelry essentials simply pull every look together. Ready to give your collection a glow-up? These are the 10 essential pieces every jewelry lover should have within reach.
The Can’t-Go-Wrong Studs
Select Jewelry Diamond Stud Earrings available on ZenLuxe
Every jewelry collection needs a little foundation, and that foundation starts with diamond studs—especially if they come stamped with Tiffany & Co. or Chrome Hearts.
Pop those Tiffany studs on your ears, and it’s instantly clear you’re fluent in chic minimalism. Meanwhile, Chrome Hearts knows how to turn simple studs into bold little statements, adding that signature edge and personality whenever the occasion calls.
The Forever Pearls
Coco Chanel Pearl Necklace available on ZenLuxe
Nothing says classic jewelry quite like pearls—and thanks to Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, they’re no longer just reserved for gala nights or trust-fund wardrobes. Her designs paired strands of faux pearls with the real thing, sending the message that jewelry should be about fun and self-expression, not just status.
“A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls,” Coco Chanel famously said.
Whether it was costume or the real deal, she loved mixing them up, often wearing so many layers that only she knew which were genuine.
The Rebellious Cocktail Ring
Bvlgari Parentesi Cocktail Ring available on ZenLuxe
Some days just call for something extra, and that’s where a cocktail ring comes in. Born during the 1920s, these bold rings rose to fame when America banned alcohol and women were embracing newfound independence (per Vogue).
As suffrage and job opportunities expanded, so did their wardrobes—trading restrictive corsets for trousers and flapper dresses, accessorized perfectly with show-stopping rings.
The cocktail ring had a real role at those hidden bars. Women would wear them to speakeasies and, when it was time to order a forbidden drink, they’d let their hand (and that cocktail ring) catch the bartender’s eye.
These edgy bijoux are all about going big: oversized, packed with personality, often flaunting a bold gemstone front and center or a twinkling arrangement of smaller stones that light up every move.
For those who love the look of statement cocktail rings but find the price daunting, secondhand jewelry is the perfect way to indulge in authentic pieces without breaking the bank. Online destinations like ZenLuxe curate a premium selection of cocktail rings and more, with every piece verified for authenticity in Japan.
The Trusty Hoops
Coco Chanel Hoop Earrings available on ZenLuxe
Never underestimate what a good pair of hoops can do—and nobody knows that better than Chanel. Their iconic earrings—always flaunting that world-famous double C—capture everything timeless about the brand but never shy away from a modern remix.
But whether they’re Chanel or a lucky find from your favorite weekend market, hoops never fail to pull any look together. Throw them on with your laziest outfit and you’ll instantly look put-together, or go all-out glam and hoops will keep up, no problem.
Their simple, round silhouette flatters every single face, drawing just the right amount of attention and giving any outfit that little extra polish. Unlike those trends that fade faster than a summer tan, hoops always manage to stick around—sometimes bold and chunky, sometimes dainty and refined, but always, somehow, just right!
The Bold Cuff Bracelet
Louis Vuitton Cuff Bracelet available on ZenLuxe
Cuffs are basically the jewelry world’s version of armor—bold, powerful, and never really out of style. The appeal goes back to ancient times, but these chunky bracelets always manage to feel modern. Take Lyndsey Ingram, for example; at her Mayfair gallery dinners, it’s her Saint Laurent gold-tone cuff (complete with a cutout heart) that ends up stealing the spotlight (per The New York Times).
“I often find myself taking it off and passing it round,” she said, recalling how she bought the piece for 350 pounds on Matches and loved to wear it over her favorite Eric Bompard cashmere sweater.
She sums up the power of a cuff perfectly: “The last thing I put on before I go out the door. Because it’s like armor. You need it when you are out of the house.”
Jean Ghika, Bonhams’ global director of jewelry, said that cuffs owe their significance to their ancient roots as “a status symbol” in Roman and Greek societies.
Ghika pointed out that cuffs took off in the early 1900s “when women’s dress changed dramatically.” In the roaring twenties, Nancy Cunard was famous for stacking African ivory cuffs and bangles up and down her arms. Meanwhile, the iconic Maltese cross cuffs Coco Chanel dreamed up with Verdura are just as bold and fashion-forward today as they were in the 1930s.
The Pendant Necklace
Return to Tiffany Double Heart Pendant Necklace available on ZenLuxe
A pendant necklace is a non-negotiable essential in any jewelry box. Whether it’s a dainty charm, a sparkling birthstone, or your favorite initial, pendants always dangle with personality and meaning. They can be as simple or as extra as you like, and with so many styles and materials to choose from, there’s always one to match your mood.
If you want that classic “it girl” vibe, Tiffany & Co. pendant necklaces are your go-to—they’re timeless for a reason. Louis Vuitton’s Vivienne keeps things fun and quirky, Chanel’s double CC is all about understated French luxury, and Dior’s signature D makes a statement every single time.
You can find all these original pendant necklaces at lower prices on ZenLuxe, where you can shop globally and enjoy fast delivery right to your doorstep.
The Sleek Watch
Bvlgari Serpenti Spiga Watch available on ZenLuxe
Watches deserve their place alongside your most cherished jewelry. More than just a fashion statement, a stylish timepiece reflects status, an eye for detail, and the sentimental stories behind each tick.
Wristwatches have long stood as symbols of refined style and meaningful milestones in royal circles. Princess Diana first wore Cartier’s classic Tank Louis watch in the 1980s, a piece believed to be a cherished gift from her father, the 8th Earl Spencer. After her divorce in 1996, she embraced the gold Cartier Tank Française, shifting from the Patek Philippe gifted by Prince Charles to a watch that soon became her signature (per Vogue).
“The Cartier Tank is the French maison’s most iconic watch, famed for its timeless design and elegant silhouette,” explained Rachel Garrahan, British Vogue’s jewelry and watch director.
Luxury and designer watches rival the craftsmanship of high jewelry, frequently set with gold, diamonds, or rare materials. The Bvlgari Serpenti, first introduced in 1948, epitomizes this exceptional artistry. The world-famous Serpenti watches marry exquisite Italian design with intricate watchmaking, creating jewelry timepieces meant to coil gracefully around the wrist.
The Funky Brooch
Sapphire Diamond Panther Brooch available on ZenLuxe
No longer reserved for vintage jewelry boxes, brooches are now fixtures on fashion’s grandest stages, worn by style icons like Sebastian Stan and Colman Domingo at the Oscars (per Vogue).
This little accessory can pull your entire outfit together in a single snap. Throw an oversized blazer over your classic denim and tee, pin on a vintage Dior brooch, and watch how instantly your whole vibe shifts to polished, city-chic style.
Fancying something with more personality? A whimsical Gucci bee brooch will give even the simplest black dress a playful kick. And for those low-key days when clothes aren’t the main act, toss a sparkling Prada brooch onto your go-to bag or pin a delicate Van Cleef & Arpels piece to a beret.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, brooches have long held meanings that reach far beneath the surface. Madeleine Albright, the former Secretary of State, famously communicated political messages through her brooches—a collection now preserved at the National Museum of American Diplomacy.
Moreover, figures like Alan Cumming and Richard Gadd have used brooches and pins as emblems to champion social causes at high-profile events.
The Luxe Hair Clip
Louis Vuitton Barrette Louisette Hair Clip available on ZenLuxe
Jewelry isn’t just for ears, necks, and wrists—hair accessories are very much part of the mix. Designer hair clips are the perfect shortcut to dressing up any look, and they work wonders for those less-than-perfect hair days. A rhinestone clip or pearl barrette instantly elevates a messy bun or loose waves, always turning a regular day into a good hair day.
Of course, there are plenty of unbranded clips out there, but they simply can’t match the luxurious appeal of a designer piece. It’s a subtle way to slip that iconic label into your look, yet catchy enough to make someone do a double-take.
The Stacking Rings
Tiffany & Co. Ring available on ZenLuxe
There’s really no such thing as too many rings.
Stacking rings lets you play with textures, metals, and stones by piling on multiple pieces, sometimes on a single finger. Tiffany & Co. takes stacking to the next level with its dazzling collection of stackable rings. With everything from diamond bands and wedding rings to 18k yellow and rose gold options, the combinations you can create are nearly endless.
If you’re into a clean, coordinated look, try stacking rings from the same collection (think those instantly recognizable T-shaped styles) or stick with one metal, like a trio of 18k yellow or rose gold bands. When you want your stack to stand out, start with something bold like one of the House’s iconic diamond pieces.
A stack of slim rings never goes out of style, and you can either mix metals for a fresh, colorful look or stick with a single tone for that sleek, pulled-together vibe.
Discover the full Serpenti lineup—including rings, earrings, necklaces, and bags—plus a wide range of pristine, original secondhand jewelry on ZenLuxe. Build up your must-have jewelry essentials without the big price tag—you can start your collection from scratch and still save a bundle!
About The Writer
Meet Mariam — a fashion writer who lives and breathes all things vogue and glamour. For her, the most therapeutic aspect of fashion goes beyond simply shopping for the latest styles that appear in stores; it’s fully experiencing this glamorous world from the little details to the big moments (there's nothing quite like the thrill of flipping through a sleek fashion magazine, is there?).
