6 Jewelry Pieces Every Stylish Woman Over 60 Owns
It’s time for Kim (Norther California Style) and my monthly Signature Style series and we are chatting about jewelry this month. I used to think good jewelry meant matching. A necklace that went with the earrings that went with the bracelet, all bought together, all telling the same one-note story. It took me a few decades and a lot of flea markets to figure out that the jewelry I actually reach for tells a completely different story, mine, and it’s collected the same way I collect everything else: slowly, with intention, and usually with a story attached.
This is not a list of trends. Trends are exhausting and, frankly, none of my business anymore. This is the jewelry that has earned a permanent spot in my rotation, the pieces I put on when I want to look like myself and not like I raided a display case at the mall. Let’s chat about 6 Jewelry Pieces Every Stylish Woman Over 60 Owns.
1. A Statement Necklace
Every collected wardrobe needs one piece that does the talking so nothing else has to. A statement necklace is that piece. Chunky resin, carved bone, an oversized chain, something with real presence, worn over a plain black turtleneck or a simple linen shirt. This isn’t subtle jewelry and it is not meant to be. At this stage of life I’ve made peace with the fact that I like my jewelry to tell my story, and a great statement necklace does exactly that without a single word from me.
The trick is restraint everywhere else. One statement piece, minimal everything else.
2. Vintage & Modern Tortoise Pieces
If you have been following me you know that I am a big fan of tortoise anything.Tortoise is one of those materials that photographs beautifully and can look both preppy and worldly at the same time.I love Machete for modern tortoise piece. Most of my favorite vintage pieces I have found on ebay or Etsy for practically nothing.
Shop my Favorite Modern Tortoise Accessories
Real vintage tortoise, the kind made before it was regulated, is genuine tortoiseshell and increasingly hard to find, which is part of the appeal. Most of what you’ll find now is faux, and honestly, the good faux pieces are nearly indistinguishable and a lot easier to sleep at night about. Either way, tortoise has warmth that gold and silver simply don’t, and it works with everything from denim to your favorite dress.
Shop My Favorite Vintage Tortoise Pieces
3. Native American Jewelry
This is jewelry with actual weight to it, literally and otherwise. Squash blossom necklaces, concho belts, turquoise and silver cuffs, the kind of pieces that were made by hand, by an artist, with a technique that’s been passed down. I have collected native American jewelry for decades.
If you’re building a collection like this, buy from Native artists and galleries directly when you can, and learn the maker’s name if you’re able to. This is not costume jewelry, and it shouldn’t be treated like it. It’s art you wear, and it deserves the same respect you’d give a piece on your wall. I have purchased many pieces on ebay through the years. You can find my current favorites on eBay here.
4. Vintage Brooches
The brooch had a bad decade or two, relegated to grandmother-adjacent territory, and I am delighted to report it is fully back even though I never actually stopped wearing mine. A great vintage brooch pinned on the lapel of a blazer, at the neckline of a plain sweater, or even clustered, three or four together, on a coat is one of the most effortlessly chic things you can do and it costs almost nothing to find one at an estate sale.
I look for native American brooches, vintage sterling silver, tortoise, stone and rhinestones. To me they feel less costumey and more like a small piece of someone else’s history that’s now part of yours. Which, if you think about it, is exactly what they are. You can find many beautiful vintage sterling silver brooches on eBay here, and on Etsy here.
You might enjoy my post 11 Fresh Unexpected Ways to Wear Brooches here.
5. Vintage Rhinestone Pieces
Rhinestones get dismissed as costume jewelry, and technically they are, but the good vintage pieces, the 1950s and prior work in particular, have a sparkle and a craftsmanship that a lot of fine jewelry can’t touch. I have a rhinestone bracelet that catches every bit of light in a room and I wear it with jeans as often as I wear it dressed up, because rules about when rhinestones are “allowed” are exactly the kind of rules I’ve stopped following.
Look for pieces with good clasps and settings where the stones are prong set rather than glued, that’s usually your signal for quality. And don’t be precious about it. Rhinestones are meant to be a little bit of fun, worn with a sense of humor about themselves. You can find vintage rhinestone brooches on ebay here., and on Etsy here.
J Crew has crafted some beautiful rhinestone pieces over the years that can be found on eBay here. I have several in my collection
6. Simple Pearl Pieces
I want to be clear about which pearls I mean, because pearls have an image problem that has nothing to do with pearls and everything to do with how they’ve been styled. Not the tight, prim strand your grandmother wore with a twin set. I mean a single strand worn with a white button-down and the top few buttons open, or pearl studs with a leather jacket, or a single, slightly irregular baroque pearl on a fine chain.
I purchased this pear necklace from Parham and Company Studio at Roundtop several years ago and she kindly gifted me the beautiful pearl bracelet a few years later.
Pearls are the most versatile thing in my jewelry box because they read as polished without trying, and they’re the one piece on this list that goes from the garden to dinner without a costume change. Simple is the operative word. One strand, one earring style, done well, beats a pearl-encrusted anything every time.
Shop my collection of bespoke jewelry items (many one of a kind)
None of these pieces match each other, and that’s rather the point. My jewelry box doesn’t look like a matched set from a department store counter, it looks like forty years of paying attention, of buying something because it stopped me in my tracks rather than because it completed an outfit. That’s what makes it feel like mine and not like a costume.
The women I admire most at this stage of life aren’t wearing jewelry that matches. They’re wearing jewelry that tells their own story. Do you have some pieces in your own collection that tell yours? I would love to hear about them.
Now let’s pop over and visit Kim to see what she is sharing. I am heading to NYC for a special holiday feature with Chicos! More on that later!
Hi Cindy,
You have such fabulous style friend!! Thanks to you I have now many buffalo horn necklaces which look amazing and a few tortoiseshell necklaces. I do love a statement necklace. Thank you for a wonderful post and all your hard work! Happy weekend x
Same to you Francesca!!
My husband used to gift me with some real gold jewelry and a beautiful chain I wear different pendants on to suit my day. I have a dainty gold Himalayan cat that looks just like the beautiful cat we had for 19 years. Her name was Molly and I think of her when I wear it. Brent recently bought a silver chain and pendant that is a little Havanese dog like our Trixy! I love it! I’m waiting for the weather to get below the ninety degree mark so I can be comfortable in a necklace. I purchased a necklace and earrings in the square in Santa Fe many years ago and still have it. I don’t know the name of the Native American artist who made it but I treasure it and it is silver, my favorite as I’m a fair Summer and prefer cool colors. But I do wear my gold with navy blue.
Love these stories Sydney!
Hi Sydney
I love Santa Fe. Steve and I used to travel there fairly regularly. The last time we were there was with our kids before Summer!
Cindy Sorry it took me so long to get here. I love your jewelry and your thoughts on what to collect ! Someday I want to see how you display your incredible collection. It could exemplify your former blog title – rough luxe ! It’s that juxtaposition that makes your jewelry stand out.
The pearls mixed with other materials are my faves and I also adore all the tortoiseshell looks too. They will never not be classically chic. I need to get my grandmother’s turquoise pieces out and wear them too.
You always give me more great ideas. xo
Thanks Kim you always inspire me to think outside the box!
Ooh, I like you Cindy love my jewelry. I like jewelry that makes people ask, “Where did you get that?” Usually, it comes from an antique store, Etsy, or an estate sale. I love wearing my mom’s squash blossom necklace that she and my dad drove to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico to buy for their 40th anniversary. It feels like “love” laying against my chest.
My favorite recent purchase is a silver finish Concho necklace that Estee Lauder gave as a gift with purchase in 1972! The year I graduated from high school! My Mom had loved the necklace and tried to get one, but they were so popular the supply was gone. I found several on Etsy and eBay. I absolutely love it and think mom would laugh about me paying $80 on a previously free item. Jewelry tells a story, and that’s the point.
I love turquoise, pearls, vintage pieces and you are masterful at using them to complete a darling outfit. Super wonderful! It’s time I get all my ‘stuff’ out and use it uniquely, as you have done. Thank you for your inspiration! Kelli
Hi Kelli
Thank you so much. I sure appreciate your kind comment! And go get that stuff out and enjoy!!
Love, love, love! this type of post. So inspiring — and interesting — to see the way you “group” your jewelry and pull together your outfits.
Hi Judy
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Too many ads. My computer slows down so much I do not enjoy reading your blog. Am I the only person who has this problem
Hi Betty
You can disable the ads in google if you don’t want to see them. You may need to clear your cache if the ads are slowing down your computer. I am sorry you are having issues.
I have a lot of flashing and the whole page will jump back to the beginning and I lose my comment, but this seems to happen on Mary Ann Picketts blog and Jennifer Connelly as well. Maybe it is the software they must use to pay for the blog.
Hi Sydney
I think if you clear your cache you won’t have that problem.
Hi Sydney
I would disable the ads and clear your cache. That should help
Cindy I’ve always admired how you dress and how you Accessorize your outfits. You always look fashionable and chic in a beautiful relaxed, enviable style! I loved this post! You know I am a big fan of vintage and antique jewelry!
Hi Kathy
Thanks so much pal!!
I don’t use Google (Firefox/Duck Duck G0)and there are many ads! I agree they’re annoying.
Great post! I collect Jewelry as well and recently found a young woman who creating Jewelry for me using parts of existing pieces and repurposing a lot of things I had not been wearing anymore. She’s updating the look of many of my pieces. Was just wondering Cindy how you store all of your jewelry and especially the necklaces? I have belt hangers that I use but they’re getting a little out of control and there are so many organizers out there but I thought maybe you had a great system since you have such a large collection. Also I’m finding that as I age (75 years young) I have to be very careful about the weight piece -even my bracelets. Several have had to be dismantled and the heavy jade or turquoise stones reused in lighter weight pieces. Wondering if you have felt the same changes? Thanks so much for your wonderful blog.
Hi Mary Fran
I haven’t had to deal with the weight problem yet. Although I do have plenty of other issues. I love that you are repurposing many of your pieces! Would you care to share her name? I bet many others would be interested. I am going to link to my post on my jewelry storage right now.
You look classic in these photos with your collection of jewelry. I buy vintage jewelry from thrift stores but for first time looked at Hobby Lobby jewelry last week and was surprised they had pretty priced jewelry .
Nancy you are a good sleuth!
What a GREAT and intriguing title, Cindy! You are my idol when it comes to accessories.
Thanks Mary Ann! You are the Martha Stewart of Jax Beach!!