By the time you reach 50, your jewellery box has probably been decades in the making. Some pieces may have been with you since your teens or twenties, while others arrived with birthdays, relationships, children, career milestones, holidays or inheritances. No two collections are the same, but some jewellery-box staples have a habit of staying with us.
The earrings you wear with everything
Diamond studs, pearls, simple gold or silver studs or a favourite pair of hoops: most of us have earrings we reach for without thinking. They work with jeans, workwear and smarter outfits and can remain favourites for years.
A simple chain or pendant
A delicate gold or silver chain is another perennial favourite, worn alone, layered or with a pendant. Initials, birthstones, lockets and other meaningful symbols can turn a simple necklace into something much more personal.
The milestone piece
Jewellery and significant birthdays have always gone rather well together. An 18th or 21st might bring your first piece of fine jewellery, while a 30th, 40th or 50th can provide an excuse for something special. Graduations, promotions, wedding anniversaries, starting a business or becoming a parent can be jewellery-worthy milestones too.
A Ring or several
For some people, rings tell the story of relationships: perhaps an engagement ring, wedding band or eternity ring. For others, it could be a gemstone cocktail, signet or birthstone ring, or a piece bought simply because you loved it. You may have an old ring that has been remodelled to suit a new chapter of life.
A watch that's become jewellery in its own right
A watch may begin as something practical but can become part of your personal style. Yours might be stainless steel, gold, two-tone or the watch you admired for years before finally buying it. Even in the smartwatch era, the traditional watch remains a jewellery box staple.
A bracelet that tells a story
Charm bracelets are almost miniature biographies. Individual charms can represent birthdays, holidays, hobbies, children, pets or favourite places, with the bracelet evolving over the years. Bangles, cuffs and link bracelets can become equally familiar favourites.
Something inherited
By 50, you may have become the keeper of jewellery that belonged to someone else first: a grandmother's ring, your mum's necklace, your dad's watch, an aunt's brooch or an old locket. It may not even be something you wear, but its connection to another person can make it impossible to part with.
The statement piece
Most jewellery boxes contain something that isn't intended to blend into the background. Think cocktail rings, colourful gemstones, bold cuffs or dramatic drop earrings. It may only appear for special occasions, but that's precisely the point.
The 'I bought it because I wanted it' piece
One of the pleasures of getting older is realising jewellery doesn't need to commemorate anything. Sometimes you buy the diamond pendant, gold hoops, beautiful ring or watch simply because you've always wanted it - and that's reason enough.
What is your jewellery box worth by 50
Jewellery collected over several decades can add up to more than you expect. That makes a milestone birthday a useful time to take stock: photograph important pieces, find receipts and certificates, and check whether older jewellery valuations still reflect current replacement costs.
If your collection has grown over the years, it may also be worth considering whether your existing insurance still meets your needs. At Assetsure, we provide specialist jewellery insurance, with cover available for individual items such as engagement rings, watches and other valuable jewellery. As with any insurance, check the policy terms, limits, conditions and exclusions to make sure the cover is suitable for you.
Further reading:Top 10 jewellery essentials every woman should have.
