Accent Jewelry

Some people will do anything to attract attention. Gigantic, ostentatious gems, outrageously gaudy diamonds and jewelry that can be seen from a hundred yards. But sometimes the only attention this kind of over-the-top accessorizing attracts is amazement at how over-the-top it is.

By contrast, small accessories, carefully chosen, can get you all the attention you need and more. Just that right combination of shine and style, of unique sparkle and elegant beauty, can bring more buzz than the most flamboyant string of gold and gemstones. The properly chosen, small accent can complement your natural style and looks, bring out your eyes or the color of your skin, and unify your look in a way a larger, more expensive piece offering a lot of shine but little substance could never do.

The story behind a piece can make all the difference, too. Too often, accessories are nothing more than “bling,” and don’t really mean anything to the wearer. A small accent with a big story adds more than just looks–it adds character.

What are the stories behind your favorite accent pieces? Perhaps a pendant passed down through your family from mother to child, a piece of art that represents your own history. A ring you found in a specialty boutique on a vacation to South America that you’ll never forget. A pearl necklace you treasure because your daughter chose the oyster it came from. The possibilities are endless–stories unique to you, that give a piece of jewelry meaning beyond just its looks.

There can be a purpose to your jewelry, too. Was it mass-produced to feed the plethora of jewelry stores that populate our malls? Or was it handmade, with careful craftsmanship that can’t be matched by assembly-line pieces? Is it set with everyday gemstones? Or with a special combination of stones, set together purposefully to enhance your energy, or give a peaceful sense of balance to your day?

A hand-made, one-of-a-kind piece carries with it the mark of the artisan who created it, a small piece of the artist passed on to you. A sense of history, beauty, and artistry in small accent jewelry gives you more than just “bling” to show off. It gives you satisfaction–in wearing a unique piece of art, and in supporting the craftsman or craftswoman who brought it to life.

Do more than just wear accent jewelry to brighten up your look. Tell a story with it. That’s the best and biggest buzz of all.