Jewelry Tips for Perfect Accessorizing

If you love jewelry as much as I do--I'm including fine as well as costume pieces in this mix--you'll appreciate the following great advice from London paper The Telegraph:

1. 1. When accessorizing with jewelry, mix it up by wearing real stones with costume pieces, advises Carol Woolton, jewelry editor of Vogue. "Combining a strand of real pearls with a costume piece such as a brooch will lend a sense of inspired playfulness to any look." Sarah Jessica Parker recently combined an ornate Erickson Beamon statement necklace with a pricey strand of Fred Leighton gold and mosaic opals (pictured).


2. 2. Buy costume jewelry by a big name, because it may pay dividends later if resold on eBay or at auction. Look for pieces by renowned jewellers or a fashion house known for jewellery, such as Chanel, Dior or Christian Lacroix.


3. 3. Pack costume jewelry for your summer holiday. "One great piece will instantly polish a casual outfit," says Vicki Sarge, proprietor of the London jeweller Erickson Beamon.


4. Experiment. Fine jewellery is usually made from precious metals, while costume pieces come in many wild colours, unusual textures and intriguing materials. Some women might find such combinations unorthodox but a hint of the avant-garde will produce a striking look.


5. Wear costume jewels only with spare, minimalist clothes.


6. Don't buy 'ultra-fashionable' pieces, because they could soon look dated. This is particularly pertinent if you are on a budget; instead, opt for something timeless, such as a cocktail ring.