“Jewellery is forever! If purchased correctly, fine jewellery is an investment that you can keep for generations to come - some of my favourite personal pieces are family heirlooms. My grandmother was an avid jewellery collector!” - Alyse Chirumbole, Director of Fine Jewellery

1. Choose your starting point

A great way to discover what you like is to start with one body part to focus on at a time when you’re at the beginning of building your collection - do you want to focus on a necklace, earring or bracelet stack? A fun way to make jewellery more personal to you is to choose something for its meaning such as your zodiac sign, initials, birthstones or customisable jewellery with dates, names or words with special meanings. But most importantly pick something that speaks to you! Classic is sometimes best when starting your collection, you can’t go wrong with classic studs or a tennis necklace/bracelet.

2. Buy from a trusted source like Threads Styling!

Here at Threads Styling, we’re on a mission to find the perfect item to suit your needs, if you know what it is you’re looking for, we can source it for you, or if you’re looking for to be inspired, our expert team of personal stylists can suggest items based off your taste. Threads works with over 200 jewellery brands, so whether you’re looking for a full look filled with fun fashion jewellery or fine jewellery collectable pieces, Threads has the know how to shop the best of the best. We have all the information regarding authenticity of pieces and are at the forefront of trends, so if you’re looking for to build your stack we can select from vintage or antique, rare and hard to find pieces or the latest designer drops. The harder to find or more exclusive an item is the more it will retain its value.

3. Need to be sure materials and craftsmanship are up to par. The best way to do this is to purchase through a trusted store/service.

When it comes to jewellery quality over quantity is key, these pieces will truly last a lifetime and beyond, so investing in the right item is important. Firstly, it's important to understand the difference between fashion (or costume) jewellery and fine jewellery. The first refers to pieces that are not crafted with precious metals, any gemstones are likely made with glass and come at a lower price point from designer brands. Fine jewellery uses precious metals such as gold, white gold, platinum or silver and makes for a better investment. Gold is naturally very soft so it gets mixed with other metals to strengthen it, thus giving it a different karat (referring to the purity of the piece). Then there are an array of gemstones - emerald, sapphire, ruby are some of the most popular. And finally, diamonds, a girl’s best friend - hint, hint for your next occasion.

4. Ask for all paperwork and certificates to insure your jewellery.

Ensure that you record your jewellery, keep all the paperwork from the seller, all reputable brands will be aware of this and able to provide it, including purchase receipts, appraisals, certificates, and photographs. Well-documented information helps establish the authenticity and provenance of your pieces, a crucial aspect for future transactions if you decide to sell it further down the line. When using jewellery as an investment it’s important to regularly appraise the value by a professional. Market conditions and demand can fluctuate, affecting the worth of your pieces.

5. Take proper care of your jewellery!

Finally, and arguably most importantly, clean your jewellery regularly to maintain its appearance. You can get jewellery polish, or warm water where appropriate and use a soft cloth to remove any marks. Perfume can damage pearls and other soft precious stones, so be sure to spritz before you put on your jewellery.