| Just as every woman needs a pair-or | | | | speak for themselves. |
| twenty-of jeans, a few pairs of black | | | | Silver or gold hoop earrings Several |
| shoes (at the very least: ballet flats, | | | | styles of hoop earrings can be |
| thongs, kitten heels and stilettos), a | | | | considered jewelry staples, from small |
| cocktail dress, a few basic skirts, a | | | | diamond-encrusted loops to gargantuan, |
| chic business suit, a cardigan | | | | J.Lo-style hoops. It all depends on what |
| sweater...I could go on but you get my | | | | you like, so choose hoops that fit your |
| point. Just as every woman needs these | | | | personality. Keep in mind, though, that |
| fashion staples, she needs a few jewelry | | | | oversize hoops can overpower short hair, |
| basics-seven actually-with which to | | | | an updo, or a face with small features, |
| accessorize her outfits. | | | | so take in the overall picture before |
| Like a custom paint job on a sleek | | | | you step out. Small gold, silver, |
| Harley, accessories personalize your | | | | diamond, pearl or CZ hoops go with |
| style and tell the world that you care | | | | everything and are always in style. Look |
| enough to go the extra mile for | | | | for hoop earrings with a back that's |
| appearance's sake. And we all know that | | | | easy to fasten and won't readily bend or |
| appearance counts. Within the first | | | | fall out. And don't wear gigantic hoops |
| three seconds of taking you in, people | | | | to a job interview or other professional |
| make judgments about you that you | | | | setting, unless you work at Vogue. |
| usually cannot reverse. So why not make | | | | Diamond solitaire pendant There's not |
| a good first impression with a look that | | | | enough room here to write about the five |
| is polished, put together, and says that | | | | Cs of diamond quality, but, if you're |
| you pay attention to style and detail? | | | | interested, there are a ton of sites out |
| Still with me? Good. Here are seven | | | | there where you can read about how to |
| jewelry staples no well-dressed woman | | | | choose a diamond. As for the pendant, a |
| should be without. Choose any one of | | | | single bezel set diamond on a white gold |
| them to accessorize in a snap, and to | | | | chain looks amazing, crisp and classic. |
| ensure that snap judgments made about | | | | Choose an 18-inch length with a secure |
| you reflect who you really are. | | | | clasp (I prefer lobster claw here) and |
| Diamond studs Anyone can pull off this | | | | make sure the chain is sturdy, yet thin |
| classic accessory. Diamond studs are | | | | and unobtrusive. It's the diamond that |
| elegant, timeless and simple enough to | | | | you want to showcase here, not the |
| be worn with other jewelry and any style | | | | chain. As with studs, you can get a |
| of hair or dress. Look for clear, | | | | gorgeous solitaire pendant made with a |
| sparkling gems with at least ½ carat | | | | CZ, or, for a twist, try a pearl. |
| total weight, set in white gold or | | | | Pearl strand When choosing a classic |
| platinum (not yellow gold) to show off | | | | pearl strand, look for an 18-inch |
| their colorlessness. As for shape, round | | | | princess length in a classic creamy |
| studs will always be in style, but | | | | white. This length is very versatile, |
| princess cut styles are popular-and | | | | and the color is timeless. Both akoya |
| classic too. Look for screw backs to | | | | cultured pearls and freshwater cultured |
| help ensure that you won't lose your | | | | pearls fit the bill, although akoyas |
| investment, and make sure the setting is | | | | will be more expensive. Other factors to |
| secure (I prefer four prongs to three). | | | | keep in mind: pearl size counts. After |
| Be warned that quality diamond studs can | | | | the 7.5-8.0 mm mark, prices rise |
| be pricey. Blue has a beautiful pair of | | | | dramatically, but a 6.5mm strand is |
| ½ carat tw diamond studs with screw | | | | lovely and affordable. Look at luster |
| backs for $600; Tiffany & Co. sells a | | | | and surface. Pearls should have a high |
| beautiful pair of .22 total carat weight | | | | luster, or surface sheen, meaning they |
| diamonds set it platinum for $875. Can't | | | | reflect light well. They should also be |
| afford these beauties? My sparkly CZ | | | | free from obvious blemishes. Pay |
| look-alikes get the job done, and cost | | | | attention to uniformity. Make sure the |
| under $40. And I don't have to worry | | | | pearls are the same size, the same color |
| about losing-or insuring them. | | | | and have a uniform luster-the warm glow |
| Pearl studs Like diamond studs, pearl | | | | that appears to come from within the |
| studs can be worn with every style of | | | | pearl. To check that the pearls are |
| dress, and with all types of jewelry. | | | | uniformly round, roll the strand on a |
| Unlike diamond studs, pearl studs are | | | | table. Matched pearls will roll |
| surprisingly affordable, especially when | | | | smoothly. |
| you choose freshwater pearls, which | | | | So you think pearl strands are too |
| today can rival the beauty of their | | | | Barbara Bush? A Tin Cup necklace, where |
| saltwater cousins. Look for round white | | | | the pearls are evenly spaced on a chain, |
| gems that are well-matched; these are | | | | is a gorgeous alternative. |
| classics and won't go out of style. | | | | A Classic Timepiece Lots of options |
| Beware of purchasing button-shaped | | | | here, but if you're going to choose just |
| (flattened) pearls when you think you're | | | | one watch it has to be classic, |
| getting round. Choose a back that is | | | | functional and stylish. I like a |
| comfortable, secure and comprised of a | | | | water-resistant oversize sterling silver |
| metal your skin can tolerate, such as | | | | watch or a classic tank watch, both of |
| white gold, yellow gold or platinum. | | | | which will look good with everything |
| When wearing pearls, keep in mind that | | | | except formalwear (then you can tuck it |
| the gems are typically associated with a | | | | in your clutch). A stainless steel band |
| demure, ladylike reputation, so they're | | | | will wear better than leather, and is |
| perfect for a job interview, wedding or | | | | usually water-resistant, but try it on |
| other formal setting. Of course, classic | | | | in case it feels too heavy or overwhelms |
| pearls are perfect for daytime and | | | | your wrist. Stick with a classic white |
| casual events as well, and give the | | | | or muted watch face with numbers that |
| wearer a timeless, feminine look that is | | | | are easy to read. (Bold colors are |
| very polished. | | | | pretty, but distracting.) A |
| When buying pearl studs, choose akoya | | | | glow-in-the-dark face is a plus. As for |
| cultured pearls or their far more | | | | brands, Swiss Army has some great styles |
| affordable freshwater counterparts, | | | | that wear well and don't break the bank. |
| which are just as beautiful. For the | | | | If you have the means, a Tag Heuer or |
| best look, choose pearls that are 6mm or | | | | Rolex is always nice too. |
| greater in size. JR Dunn sells Mikimoto | | | | When you have your seven basic jewelry |
| akoya cultured pearls in 6mm round white | | | | staples, it's time to play. There are so |
| for $340; sells round white freshwater | | | | many other classics you can add to your |
| cultured pearls in 7mm for $38. | | | | jewelry box if you're so inclined. A |
| Dangle earrings I love dangles for their | | | | diamond tennis bracelet, a beautiful |
| drama, and because their typical hook | | | | Tahitian pearl bracelet, an oversize |
| backs make them easy to get on and off. | | | | pearl cocktail ring, or a signature |
| But many dangles aren't for everyday; | | | | piece in your birthstone all look |
| they'll look out of place with shorts | | | | terrific. Depending on your style |
| and a tank, for example. If you're going | | | | personality and budget, you can choose |
| a bit more formal, though, you have many | | | | plenty of other extras to keep up with |
| options with this earring style. Keep in | | | | fashion trends, but keep these on the |
| mind that if you want your dangle | | | | inexpensive side as they likely won't |
| earrings to become a jewelry staple, | | | | stand the test of time. For a |
| look for a classic, elegant design in a | | | | statement-making piece, choose an |
| neutral color, such as an all metal | | | | oversize cocktail ring in a bold color. |
| style or one that ends in a cultured | | | | Or, if you like today's layered look, |
| pearl, for example. For your staple | | | | pick several chain necklaces in your |
| piece, don't choose anything trendy or | | | | favorite metal in varying lengths, and |
| cute; steer clear of hearts, stars, | | | | layer them with pearl strands or |
| zodiac signs and skulls. (If you want to | | | | oversized turquoise, wood or |
| go trendy that's fine, just buy | | | | mother-of-pearl beaded necklaces. Wide |
| something inexpensive.) As for what to | | | | wood, mother-of-pearl or metal cuffs |
| choose, I prefer a dangle that hangs an | | | | always look terrific, and stackable |
| inch or two below the earlobe to really | | | | bangles, especially personalized charm |
| make a statement. White gold and yellow | | | | bracelets, are always fun. (Do spend |
| gold bars, chains or chandeliers are | | | | more on charm bracelets, as you'll |
| timeless favorites. Of course, hairstyle | | | | probably hang on to these.) |
| and wardrobe will play a role here too. | | | | Still stuck on what to wear? You can |
| If your hair is very long you can get | | | | always go with my favorite and most |
| away with more dramatic-and | | | | valued piece of jewelry: a handcrafted, |
| longer-styles. Remember, though, if you | | | | hand painted macaroni necklace made for |
| wear a dramatic earring it's best to | | | | me by my four-year-old son. |
| skip the necklace and let the earrings | | | | |