When Less Is More: 11 Timeless Jewels to Love Forever

New Year’s resolutions are hard. Most don’t even make it through the month—case in point, January 17th has been dubbed Quit Your Resolution Day. So this year I’ve decided not to make a concrete resolution (like giving up wine or working out more), but instead to appreciate the less in life. Less spending—on fast fashion and trends that prove to be a flash in the pan. Less worrying—about what people think of the way I look, of the what ifs in life, of missing out. Less wanting—of, well, everything. You may find it counterintuitive that someone who makes her living writing about jewelry would preach about less. But not so. Because jewelry, really great jewelry, is not at all like the give-me-more of fast fashion. It is not a wear-it-once, forget-about-it kind of thing, purchased in abundance. While it has much in common with fashion, it has the power to live forever. What it is, at its best, is something that can take a customer hours, days, or months to ponder before making the purchase. Unless she has a budget on par with Elizabeth Taylor, she won’t purchase the entire showcase. See, it’s less. Am I talking investment jewels? Well, maybe. The piece could cost $30 or $30,000, but in most cases, it’s one piece, just one, that catches someone’s eye and becomes hers forever. Jewelry stores demonstrate this concept better than any one or thing I can think of. Many stock the latest trends, yes (because trends are fun, and why not treat yourself to something fun once in a while?), but all the while they keep a strong inventory of the pieces that they know will live on, no matter what. The pieces their customers come to them for, in the long run.

Which brings me to these 11 jewels. In the spirit of less is more (except on the red carpet—hint, hint, celebs and their stylists!), I’m delighted by these timeless pieces, ones that can truly be worn forever and add their special touch to the every day. Your customers will fall in endless love with these jewels. And retailers, a wish for you in 2015: that your prospects, sales, and good fortune will be anything but less.

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