Spenny Jewellery Pieces That Should Be Staples In Your Grown-Up Jewellery Box

I’ve decided that even though I do appreciate the Cartier Love bracelet – it’s not going to make this list. I love the Love bracelet, don’t get me wrong, but over the years the It-factor has just sort of… dropped off. And that’s not really what you want for a staple piece of jewellery. You want something that’s chic now, and that’s going to be chic when we finally have flying cars and beach houses on Mars. Since the Love bracelet is on the out, I’m going to leave it off this list. What I’m not going to leave off this list, and that’s been quietly chic in the background while your everyday shopper has been fawning over the Love bracelet (no judging, I am that shopper), is the Cartier Juste Un Clou bracelet. I wear it on its own for a classic bangle, but is also perfect for stacking with your Love bracelet and some extra bangles from Boucheron. Wonderfully feminine, but also hardy enough that you can wear it every day – even for a swim in the ocean. I’ve gone for the rose gold which is light enough to pass off as a yellow gold, but I adore the yellow gold too. I might even get the teensier version for nights when I want to be dainty.

Cherished by all ages, the Alhambra range from Van Cleef & Arpels is revered by all ages, from that very elderly wealthy aunt with the wild stories about her and Elizabeth Taylor out on the town, to a beautiful young 20-something lying on the beach in Antiparos, wearing a turquoise single pendant over her bikini. Designed in 1968 as a token of luck, the Alhambra collection has become iconic over the years, with Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and Kate Middleton being fans of the design. My favourite is the classic gold and mother of pearl long necklace, although the Vintage Alhambra earrings with guilloche yellow gold add ultimate class to every outfit. The newer agate 10 motifs choker is perfect for pairing with summer dresses and bikinis – you too can be that 20-something lying on the beach in Antiparos wearing Van Cleef – you’ve just got to hand over the dollars… but you’ll receive style and status as a return.

A pair of diamond studs will last you your whole life. Classy and timeless, diamond studs not only elevate your outfit, but look good worn 24/7. De Beers is my pick for the perfect pair of stud earrings, with their discreet setting that put the perfect diamond in full attention. You know that with De Beers, they only pick the best of the best, so it’s important to have a minimalist setting to show off the three C’s (clarity/cut/colour). Over 1 carat starts to stretch the wallet big time, but know that the price of diamonds are increasing by 4% year on year, so really, you’re investing in your future. At least that’s what I tell myself – and my bank. Oops!

A perfect watch that you can wear straight from day to night, Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual is a dressed-up watch for dressed down occasions… or the other way round! Especially chic is that they now come in some retro colours. My favourite is the mustard yellow, but the aqua blue is a close second. I imagine myself drinking Bellini’s at Villa D’Este in Lake Como, my watch matching seamlessly with my Chanel shift dress and oversized Hermès headscarf. Is my fantasy set in the 1960’s Italian dream? Maybe. But that’s the point of a Rolex. It was a must-have then, it’s a must-have now, and it’ll be a must-have 50 years from now.

If you want a statement ring that you can wear all year round, look no further than Bulgari’s B.Zero 1. A hero ring that’s been a staple of the jewellery house since 1999, Bulgari has sold over two million of these babies – and that’s not including the earrings, necklaces, and bracelets that followed after its commercial success. Clearly an icon, I love the cut-out version adorned with dainty diamonds to tone down the block of gold. A ying-yang of a ring, its feminine lines are toned down by its masculine heaviness, and vice versa. Great to wear alone for a simple statement, or to stack amongst other rings to show off your adorned, wealthy hands. Big love.

These Botticelli earrings from Sophie Bille Brahe definitely make you feel like The Girl With The Pearl Earring, which… why wouldn’t you want to look like a muse?! Pearls can often look dowdy and conservative, which is why I think it’s important to either wear your grandmother’s pearl necklace with something groovy or scandalous (look to Harry Styles for inspo) or buy pearls that are modern and different. Sophie Bille Brahe has specialised in pearls since the day she started in 2011, so if you’re not feeling the extravagant modern renaissance look, she also has some pearly hoops for the perfect mixture between past and present, or the Margherita Venus to wear with a groovy check knit for kitschy cool.