The (Much-needed) Jewelry Edit

I have a lot of jewelry – but let’s face it, I have a lot of everything in the fashion department. The difference is, I never ever edit my jewelry, or my bags. I don’t know if it is because they don’t take up as much space or because they don’t get the wear and tear as, say, a pair of shoes or a t-shirt can. I just have a hard time tossing jewelry for some reason.Jewelry also is much more personal, so when I go to edit it there isn’t that “oh this is so dated” feeling.But this summer after 16 years of being in retail, which means having a very large collection of jewelry, I decided it was time for a jewelry audit. I could not do this on my own, because left to my own devices I wouldn’t throw any of it away. So I called in the professional, Alicia of Tulle Box.We pulled out everything, laid it all out and she got down to business.Here were the questions Alicia asked and the process she provided:

• • What is most sentimental to you? Set aside and ask if you want to save for a future recipient (daughter, niece, etc.)
• • After breaking down by category, are there any duplicates of style? Hoops are a great example - aside from size, do you have too many? Choose the best of that style and purge the others!
• • Have you “outgrown” anything? Sometimes our style has elevated and we realize we no longer are a “shells” or “tassel” woman any longer.
• • Is there anything that was specific to a certain outfit that you no longer own?
• • Are you inclined to wear only silver or only gold? If so, evaluate the weaker metal and keep only what resonates as a valuable alternative to your mainstay metal.
• • Is there anything that needs to be fixed? Dedicate that to repairs and make sure to follow through!
• • According to the time of year you execute the jewelry edit, make sure you acknowledge that some heavier or lighter pieces might be conducive to knits (winter) or featherweight silks and cottons (summer).
• • Are there colors represented in your collection that just don’t belong? (For Elizabeth, I questioned the baby pink tassels????)
• • Are there pieces that are just plain outdated? Will you ever or better yet, should you ever?
• • Are there pieces that cause more problems than satisfy the solution? The clasp comes undone, the size is cumbersome, the noise factor (heavy metal knocking a desk is distracting)
• • Gifted Jewelry - if you don’t wear it, take a page out of Marie Kondo - offer a gracious and joyful “thank you” and donate it.

The results were amazing. I have actually started wearing some of the pieces I haven’t worn in years because I literally could not see them before. I ended up taking 4 large zip lock bags to Mint Condition. I cannot wait to buy more jewelry with the money I get. If you haven’t audited your jewelry collection recently, take Alicia’s advice and come re-stock with me. And by the way, the Lizzie Fortunato fall collection is amazing!