When it comes to fashion, there are certain items you have to have – we call them ‘investment buys’, as they usually cost a little more, but prove their ‘closet worth’ time and time again.
The same can be said of certain items of jewellery. I chatted with Metaxia Sterianos, the hugely talented designer behind the WHY range of jewellery and asked her which 5 key pieces of jewellery women should consider investing in. We also chatted about storing and caring for your jewellery.
1. A pair of diamond studs – they’re the ‘Little Black Dress’ of jewellery because you can wear them with anything. Spend as much as you can afford on diamond earrings as you’ll wear them for the rest of your life. The one’s picture below cost R8000 – you can buy them here.
2. Cocktail Ring – For when you need a bit of bling. We love the topaz ring below, R4000 – buy it here. The topaz stone is believed to have relaxing energy and is associated with creativity, inspiration and communication.
3. Stackable rings – Hugely fashionable at the moment, wear them as singles or stacked together. The ones in the image cost R1000 each. You can buy them here.
4. Chandelier Earrings – Wear them for day or evening as they really can adapt to any style. We love these diamond chandelier earrings, R1200 – Buy them here.
5. Wear with everything necklace – Look for a subtle design style that will work with everything. The Africa diamond pendant and chain, R1100, is my favourite. Buy it here.
How does the Why line of jewellery manage to come in at such great prices points, considering most pieces have at least one real diamond?
Although the majority of the pieces have diamonds – the diamonds are not too large but we focus rather on colour and quality of each diamond. The range is very cleverly designed to focus on the intimate detail of each piece, keeping the metal weight low without compromising the quality.
The range is made out of sterling silver and not gold, which also helps keep costs down.
How do you stop jewellery from tarnishing?
You can avoid tarnish by wearing your jewellery often. The oils in your skin will “clean” the silver and keep it looking shiny.
Contact with household chemicals, perspiration, rubber, chlorinated water, or any substances that contain sulphur (e.g., mayonnaise, eggs, mustard, onions, latex, wool), will cause corrosion and tarnish — so it’s a good idea to remove silver jewellery when doing household chores. Direct sunlight also causes silver to tarnish, so be sure to take off your silver jewellery before you go swimming and sunbathing. Lotions, cosmetics, hair spray, hair products, and perfumes are also “enemies” of any metal and will degrade it.
What’s is the best method for cleaning jewellery at home?
Baking soda and water: Make a paste of baking soda and water and use a clean cloth to apply a pea-sized amount to the silver and polish. For etched, stamped or detailed items, thin the paste with more water and use a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush to get the cracks and crevices. Run the piece or pieces under running warm water, and dry with a clean cloth.
What’s the best way to store you jewellery?
Don’t store multiple jewellery pieces in the same bag as the individual pieces can scratch each other.
Your jewellery should be kept in a clean and dry place, such as a jewellery box or case that is fabric lined. It is also possible to use an ordinary box, as long as you wrap each piece individually in soft tissue paper.
Usually, when you purchase a piece of jewellery, you will be given a special pouch or case that is designed with the right finish to protect that particular piece. These pouches are the best thing to store your jewellery in as they have been designed with that particular piece in mind.
keep you eyes peeled for tomorrow’s post as I’ll be giving away one of the items above!
For more information, check out the Why jewellery website here.
