5 Tips for Jewelry You Don’t Want or Need

I hope the impending start of the new year finds you happy, healthy, and busy in your jewelry box! This is often the time when people want a fresh start, so they clean the house, organize the closet, and purge their homes of what they no longer want or need. But what about your jewelry collection??

I often advise clients to hang on to jewelry, even if they’re not currently wearing it. Not only does it take up a small amount of space, but I often find myself pulling things out from years past and re-incorporating them into my wardrobe. There are times, though, when you really know it’s time to let some things go. Here are some ideas as to what to do with such pieces:

1. Sell or consign your jewelry. There are many businesses that will be happy to take your jewelry off your hands and give you some money in return. Circa is a widely known business for your pricey and name brand jewelry. The Real Real, a company I’ve had great success with for reselling clothing, is also now taking high-end jewelry. I have even used my local consignment store to unload a pair of not-worn-for-ten years David Yurman earrings. Granted, you only get a fraction of what you paid for things back, but a little money in your pocket is better than nothing, right?

2. Repurpose your jewelry. Often, you can repurpose your own jewelry. Turn an old chain/pearl necklace into a new strap for a small clutch. Or clip on some vintage earrings to your pumps for a little sparkle. I also love to pin broaches onto a simple, fabric clutch to really give it some zing. There are also countless jewelry designers who will take your existing pieces and design something “new” and fabulous for you.

3. Give it away. Why wait until you’ve passed away to give some of your precious collection to loved ones? Go for it now and watch the joy in your recipient’s eyes! I can say from experience that it’s quite lovely to be on both ends of this scenario!

4. Donate your jewelry to charity. There are countless women re-entering the workforce, and they deserve to be dressed to the nines! Places such as Wardrobe for Opportunity or the Career Closet, here in the San Francisco Bay Area, are always looking for business-appropriate finishing touches for their clients.

5. Have a swap party. I think it’s a fab idea to have a swap party with your fashionable gal pals. Invite people over for cocktails and nibbles, and have them bring some of their no-longer-worn jewelry. Just because something is no longer right for you, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t just the perfect thing for someone else! Swap away — you might go home with a new favorite!

With these tips in mind, I encourage you to sift through with your collection and see if there really are some pieces that need a new home. Best wishes to you for a happy and sparkling 2014!

Jewelry box
Are there things in your jewelry box that need to go?

5 thoughts on “5 Tips for Jewelry You Don’t Want or Need”

  1. Love all these ideas, Amy, especially the give away portion. I’ll, no we, will have to take a look at my jewelry!!! XX

  2. Great ideas, especially the swap party. A nice way to repurpose jewelry is to make a pendant from an earring (especially those orphaned ones!)… Thinking about this combined with your article on the Spring 2014 trend of triple-layering delicate chains/pendants, you can design sets to go with outfits – since the earrings presumably match a lot in your closet already!

    For a beaded necklace – especially pearls – you can take it apart and design a pair of earrings for each woman in the family. An inspiring theme for an occasion like a wedding, graduation or anniversary: we’re all connected by a thread of beauty.

    1. I am just working on an article about repurposing jewelry, Monique, and these are some great ideas! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂

      1. Oh, I love repurposing jewelry! Earrings become pendants, brooches or rings… A collection of earrings from family and friends can become a bridal bouquet… A sparkling stud, added asymmetrically to a simple polished base, becomes a mod focal piece.

        Old, new and funky transmute from lead to gold! 🙂 Looking forward to reading your article. Thanks for the inspiration!

        1. Yes, I’ve seen the bridal bouquets–just lovely! I should have the article up in the next month. Thanks so much, Monique! 🙂

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