Build your ultimate capsule jewellery box: the 5 pieces of jewellery everyone should own

Good jewellery can transform an outfit , be it a dress that you’ve worn a thousand times or pair well-loved of jeans that cry out for a litle bit of sparkle. In fact, trying on some pieces in your wardrobe that have falled out of favour, but accessorising them in a different way can be a fantastic way to get the most from the clothes you own. You'll be surprised at what a difference a well-chosen pieces of jewellery can make.

So, if you’re looking to create a capsule jewellery box of key pieces to invest in that you’ll wear time and time again, read on for my suggestions for the 5 pieces of jewellery that everyone should own.

Above: Meteorite stud earrings in silver, Opis stud earrings in gold plated silver both from Elin Horgan Jewellery

1) Simple everyday stud earrings

Simple, but chic stud earrings are the absolute backbone of any carefully curated jewellery box. These are the sort of earrings that you’ll reach for again and again because you know that they’ll go with everything else you own.

But simple doesn’t need to mean boring….far from it. These Pebble Circle Studs by Cornish jeweller Emily Nixon are a really nice size for an everyday pair of earrings. Large enough to make an impact, but small enough to make them comfortable to wear all day, the timeless design means they won't date.

I also love these dimpled The Splat Recycled 9ct Gold Earrings from Oola London and available via Wolf & Badger. They're made from solid gold offcuts which have been recycled, forged then hammered which gives them a beautiful organic texture. Great if you're looking for an investment piece that will never go out of style.

Try choosing a classic style with a twist, something like the Meteorite stud earrings that come in both silver and gold plated silver are the perfect choice. They’re carved with soft facets which reflect the light and give them an unexpected sparkle. At just under 1cm across they’re beautifully understated and wearable, but if you’re after a smaller style you can try the mini meteorite stud earrings which are approximately 0.5cm diameter and also work just as well for a second or third piercing.

Another great option are my Gold Opis stud earrings which look a little bit like minimalist golden rainbows don't you think?! These stepped semi circle earrings come in both gold plate and recycled silver with a soft polished finish.

Above: L-R Gold Gaia chunky hoop earrings, Gold Luna hoop earrings & Gold Vesta hoop earrings, all available from Elin Horgan Jewellery

2) Gold hoop earrings

Fast becoming a jewellery classic, the recent fashion for gold hoops is definitely here to stay. They are super easy to wear whilst also elevating your outfit and best of all they work equally as well for day or evening.

Current trends are for the mega hoop like these Classic Gold Hoop Earrings from Tilly Sveaas, but if you find this style too big for everyday wear then you might prefer something in more of a midi size like the Icarus medium hoop earrings from Cara Tonkin. These eyecatching earrings are a contemporary take on a plain hoop and the subtle texture and unusual shape really elevates them.

From my own collections I love the small, but impactful Small Luna hoop earrings or the Small Nova hoop earrings. These styles look great with shorter hair or with long hair pulled back from the face and both feature a detachable charm so that they can also be worn as a plain hoop should the mood take you!

I'm also currently a bit obsessed with the Gold Gaia chunky hoop earrings and the Gold Vesta midi hoop earrings , both of which are part of my Arco collection. They're based on the shapes found in classical architecture and feature a unique stepped design with a lightly textured surface. I made myself a pair of the Gaia hoops and I pretty much live in them at the moment as they're so light and comfortable to wear that you barely know you've got them in.

Above: Chunky charm bracelets in recycled silver and gold plated recycled silver both from Elin Horgan Jewellery

3) A chunky, slightly masculine bracelet

I just can’t get enough of a chunky(ish) masculine bracelet. This is the sort of style that you’ll get so much wear from that it will become a mainstay of your jewellery box.

I cannot get enough of this men's silver bangle from Metal Crumble. It's quite heavy so I wouldn't accessorise with any other pieces, just give it space to do its thing on your wrist!

One of my other favourite designs is a classic ID bracelet which you can find brilliant examples of secondhand. Just check it's the real deal by looking for a hallmark that show when/where/from what it was made. For Sterling silver you're looking for the Lion Passant mark next to a 925 stamp which shows its fineness. There's a hepful guide to hallmarking on the London Assay Office's website to help you to understand what you should be checking for.

Monica Vinader does a Linear chain bracelet which is slightly finer option in gold vermeil that would look great stacked with other pieces. This unusual Alex Monroe version available from Liberty is also a lovely take on this enduring style.

If those styles are a bit too masculine for you then you could take a look at my Chunky charm bracelet. The silver version is my favourite at the moment, but both the silver and gold look great and are finished to a soft shine with an adustable chain to suit most wrists.

Above: Gold Meteorite necklace and Gold Rhea pendant both in gold plated recycled silver both from Elin Horgan Jewellery

4) Layering necklaces

Investing in a couple of lovely layering necklaces give you endless options for combining with other pieces for an instant outfit update. You can go dainty or a little chunkier, depending on your preference.

V By Laura Vann has a huge selection of gorgeous necklaces and I particularly like this Darcy gold necklace on a pretty diamond cut curb chain. I also love the delicate simplicity of my Meteorite necklace (there's a mini version available too) which works really well with the Rhea pendant in silver or gold, as show in the image above.

My top tip for layering success is to choose a mix of chain lengths and styles so that you don’t end up in a tangle! Smaller pieces can look great with a chunky chain and don’t be afraid to mix metals and wear silver and gold together.

5) A favourite signature or heirloom piece

Everyone has one of these, whether it’s a pair of showstopping earrings or a treasured signet ring. It’s that piece you turn to for an instant mood lift, the one that could make even a pair of trackie Bs look glamourous. For me, at the moment it’s a chunky silver faceted ring that I’m wearing constantly, but maybe yours is an heirloom necklace that your granny handed down to you, your engagement ring or a special gift from your kids. You know the one I’m talking about, right?!

I truly believe that choosing the right capsule pieces for your jewellery box can help to really simplify and enhance your style. Taking the time to find those key staples is so worthwhile because you’ll be investing in designs that you know you’ll get loads of wear from rather than panic buying something to go with an outfit that will rarely be worn again.

Elin Horgan designs and creates handmade jewellery in her Bristol studio. Elin’s beautifully simple handmade jewellery is carefully crafted and designed to be worn every day. You can read more about Elin’s work and the ethos behind her understated jewellery brand on her About Elin Horgan Jewellery page.

If you’d like to enquire about a specific product or discuss a custom piece of jewellery, please have a look at the Bespoke Handmade Jewellery page or email info@elinhorgan.com