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Today I noticed an ad for a gold tone “cluster” necklace from a designer named Giunta, as part of a limited time collection. The piece, selling for around $60, is supposedly inspired by “art history and modern design”. Picture your typical chain, but with several other gold chains attached to either side, which cross the neckline in different lengths (almost as if you’re wearing 3 or 4 necklaces, but with just one connection). On these horizontal strands hang a multitude of round beads and flat, long shapes, in one big cluster-hence the name.

I wonder about things such as this; $60 is pretty pricey for costume jewelry, and for the same cost, a person can buy something with small, “real” gems or made from 14karat gold. It all depends on how a woman prioritizes her jewelry budget money. Would you rather have a few real items, or a lot of fun and inexpensive things? There are advantages and disadvantages of both, such as the luxurious feeling of possessing quality, versus having to get it insured. There is long lasting enjoyment and resale value, versus its upkeep-among other aspects. But every kind of jewelry has its drawbacks. What I thought I’d do is give you my opinions about ornamentation and rate them from 1-5 in my preference; hopefully this will get you thinking about your own jewelry style.

Pins-I’ve never really like wearing them myself. My mother was a big pin-wearer, and left me with more than I’ll ever know what to do with. Those that would never suit me have been given away, and others that are fairly timeless and unique, I've kept. Perhaps I may wear some day when I'm older. But I’m left with another pile which I’m not sure about, because they’re so kitschy they may come back into style and my daughter may get a kick out of them. (Do you may remember those big flowers and rhinestone clusters?) When news anchorwomen wear pins, they look so polished; when I wear them, I feel like they’re wearing me. I give them my lowest priority at#6.

Earrings-I can take them or leave them for the basic reasons that my hair is usually covering my ears, and they annoy me when I'm on the phone. However, for dressy occasions, I’ll go with small gemstones instead of hoops or dangles; I think that a hint of glamour, instead of in-your-face metal, is more alluring because it’s more of a surprise. I’ve also lost more earrings than I care to count. Therefore, they rank 5th place.

Necklaces-It seems that I am forever choosing necklaces whose lengths don’t go with whatever necklines I’m wearing at the moment, and so I end up changing them, or changing what may be hanging on them as pendants. I like the feeling of necklaces and the choice of styles, however, so I’ll rate them a 4. But I don’t like that some of the more delicate styles often break if they get caught on clothing, or become knotted. They rank number 4.

Watches-I don’t wear them at home, but always like to know the time when out. I’m not too picky, but I do prefer a mix of gold and silver tone for my watches. Since I see them as somewhat of a necessity, I’ll give them third place.

Rings-Rings used to be my favorite accessory until my fingers inexplicably swelled and I had to get my wedding and engagement rings cut off. They were resized, but now need a resetting, which I’ve procrastinated because my fingers continue to change sizes. This makes wearing rings more trouble than they’re worth, due to discomfort of one sort or another. Yet, I almost always wear at least one ring, if no other jewelry. They fall between the number 3 and number 2 spot, depending on how fat my knuckles are on any given day.

So that leaves, for my number 1 favorite-bracelets. I own many bracelets because I love having something around my wrist. I’ve some of my mother’s bangles, several beaded bracelets, a few with gemstones, and one that with inlaid turquoise that my husband bartered for in Mexico. They are the most user-friendly as far as I’m concerned, and rarely fall off. The worst thing would be the clinking when more than one bangle is worn, which annoys even me-so I no longer indulge.

What’s your favorite jewelry? Comment and share!