Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed
How I layer, mix, and slowly grow a fine jewelry collection (just in time for Mother's Day).
Jewelry and Mother’s Day go hand in hand for me. When I look at my own collection, I keep coming back to the age-old adage of something old, something new, something borrowed. My grandmother’s brooch. The vintage Tiffany ring I never take off. A Chanel bracelet I added most recently. Each one carries its own story, and together they feel completely mine.
Chanel recently reached out to get my take on styling some of their fine jewelry, and I was excited to pull a few favorites that felt right at home in my collection. You’ll see them woven throughout, layered with the brands and vintage finds I’ve been wearing for years. (Their Mother’s Day edit is full of gorgeous options!)
Building a fine jewelry collection isn’t about chasing trends or filling a box. In my experience, it’s a slow, thoughtful project done over many years, and the right find gets worn forever and eventually passed down. I’ve rounded up five categories I think every mom deserves, whether she’s just starting out or adding to her collection.
1. A Pendant Necklace That Tells a Story
If I could only gift one thing, this would be it. I love how a charm necklace grows with you, marking little moments (or celebrating big ones!) along the way.
Here I’m wearing a few of my favorite Sherman Field pendants on a single chain (a pearl, an engravable stone, a tassel). I love their pieces because the scale is always right, everything can be custom-made, and Danielle can engrave them, which makes them an incredibly thoughtful gift.
2. A Watch That Works Day to Night
A great watch earns its keep. I love one I can wear with jeans during the day and leave on for dinner without a second thought.
The Chanel Première Édition Originale I’m wearing here is exactly that. The leather and chain bracelet is detailed enough to feel special on its own, but pared back enough to layer with other bracelets (more on that below).
A timepiece is a great opportunity to weave in something vintage. A few finds that live in my dreams…
3. Bracelets and Bangles Worth Stacking
A great stack grows one bangle at a time, which is part of what makes bracelets such a thoughtful gift. You’re not asking her to overhaul anything, just adding a new note to a wrist she’s already curated.
The Chanel Coco Crush bangles I’m wearing here (one in beige gold, one with a mini quilted motif) work just as well as a foundation as they do alongside an existing stack. If she’s just starting out, one is more than enough. If she has a stack already, a single new addition can change how the whole thing feels.
4. Classic Earrings You Never Take Off
Earrings are something most mom-friends I know tend to under-invest in, mostly because we’re constantly swapping them out and worrying about losing them. The fix is one classic pair so good you never want to take them out.
I gravitate toward styles that are simple in shape but special in execution, where the metalwork or the diamond setting does all the talking. These drops from Tiny Gods are a perfect example, and so is the quiet sparkle of a Coco Crush hoop.
5. Rings with Character (That Still Feel Timeless)
Rings are some of the most personal jewelry you own, and I love a stack that feels collected, not coordinated. Here I’m wearing two Chanel Coco Crush rings (a wider quilted band with diamond accents, and a slimmer pavé version). The quilting is unmistakably Chanel, but the silhouettes are clean enough to belong with everything else in my collection, including the vintage rings I’ve collected over the years.
A Few Notes on Layering
Putting it all together is half the fun. A few of my personal rules:
On mixing metals. I don’t believe in the old rule that you can’t mix gold and silver, but the mix needs to feel intentional. If I’m wearing mostly gold with one silver moment, I want it echoed somewhere else (the hardware of a bag, a belt buckle), so it doesn’t feel out of place.
On color. I love wearing colorful jewels (a pink sapphire pendant, a deep green stone ring, a string of bright glass beads), but I always ground them with something more refined and metal-forward. Otherwise, the look can tip into feeling overly sweet or childish.
On growing a collection. Something old is storied. Something new keeps things fresh. Something borrowed (or inherited) ties the whole stack to her. My favorite jewelry moments happen when I’ve layered all three.
The reason I love fine jewelry as a Mother’s Day gift is because it feels forever. It gets worn, layered, lived in, eventually passed down.
Whoever you’re shopping for, starting with one of these five categories is the easiest way to find something that sticks.
xx Julia
Where do you link this green shirt jacket outfit?
My last mother's day gift came from your recommendation, the fewer finer engraved signet ring. Thanks for sharing other beautiful jewelry to add to the wish list!