How many times have you gotten dressed for a routine day of meetings and errands, a dinner with friends or the opening of the opera then opened your jewelry box and found ………the right thing is not there? If you are like the rest of us, you hear yourself saying, “I wish I had…….” and you realize this is not the first time you have said that.

There are some basic items that every lady needs in order to get through a busy schedule of daytime appointments and nighttime festivities. When you possess these “staples” you will never be without something perfectly appropriate to wear. These items are the basic needs ONLY; begin here to build a collection with variety.

The main thing to remember is to buy grown-up forever items. Constantly "upgrading" jewelry is a very expensive habit so buy things that you will never need to replace.

Scenario #1 – DAYTIME

Yellow gold / 2-tone gold bracelet. The size and scale of the bracelet depends on your stature but the bracelet needs to be as bold as your mind and body-type can handle. If you can carry it off, the right pair can be worn on the same arm and look terrific. Remember our mantra – we are not going to "upgrade" later.

Wide cuff / bangle bracelet. While it is not as versatile as your perfect bracelet (above), a wide cuff bracelet is a great alternative to have in either yellow gold or even ebony or cocholong. A pair of them - this time one for each wrist - is great if you can carry it off. PS – If you have stunning silver cuffs or American Indian pieces, they are not going to fill the bill here. You need a staple you can wear with jeans, cocktail dresses or to lunch with Princess Margaret!!

Diamond studs / gold & diamond hoops / yellow gold earrings. These can be worn with blue jeans or cocktail dresses - dressed up or down. They are highly versatile and that is what you are after – a “staple”. If you choose to get diamond hoops it does not particularly matter if they are yellow gold, white gold, or platinum as the sparkle of the diamonds will detract from the color of the metal. However, the fashion norm has always been yellow gold for daytime and white metal for evening.

Pearl Necklace. When the Japanese oyster beds were wiped out by disease a decade ago, we were left with the choice of either freshwater pearls or the larger South Sea and Tahitian strands. In time our eyes adjusted to the larger scale of the South Seas and Tahitians and there has been no looking back. There is nothing more versatile than a strand of white South Sea pearls. You can wear them with everything in your closet no matter the color, season or occasion. However, a more delicate casual pearl necklace would fill the bill if you seldom find yourself in a ball gown. Chain and pearl necklaces can be shortened by simply clasping them at the desired length with the remainder left trailing down your back.

Most of the items pictured as examples above are on our website at www.meriwether.net and a much bigger selection can be found in the shop.

Coming soon - Scenario #2 – DRESSY DINNER.

Meriwether

3524 Sacramento Street

San Francisco, CA 94118

415-359-1111

http://www.meriwether.net