Jewel Joules

There are unwritten rules about wearing jewels just as there are for attire. You don't have to be an expert to know what looks best. As with clothing, the old rule: the less, the better. In some social gatherings, there are women - and not all jewel wearers are women -  who overdo their bauble displays. They put on every ring, necklace and bracelet they own thinking that they are showing everyone their personal value. But, as always, too much is much too much. Take time to consider what is called "staging" when you want to show off your jewelry.  Keep your gems cleaned and bright. It isn't about quantity, it's about quality. Even the royals wear their diamonds and other precious gems paying close attention to good taste and respect for history. Queen Elizabeth dresses in monochromatic shades and her fabulous jewelry thus stands out. One of the social events I attend, is a game at tables with hands and bodices forming most of the  scenery one beholds beyond the cards. For some reason, the ladies, and not a few men, have taken to adorning their fingers and necklines with gold and diamonds perhaps thinking to impress everyone. These little sparklers are many if not large and the tables are almost blinding at times. It seems that the latest trend to have a gemologist dig out gramma's diamonds and re-form them into newly contorted jewelry for their inheritors, is the trend. And that's all very well, but there is no reason to dazzle everyone to death. Who cares when you bid seven Bridge spades, if your new-design diamonds out-do mine. If mine are bigger and dazzle more, I win anyway! But I jest. And people who hang little diamond encrusted things around their necks bespeaking of tourist trip temptations such as "here, look what I gotcha Honey, we're on vacation so why not" bits and pieces, need a word of caution. Sure wear that pretty little piece, but make sure it fits the outfit and that it is shown off at its best, small notwithstanding. To show off your jewels, first think about them.  Give them the respect they deserve. A beautiful fabric in a plain  shade, creates a fabulous staging for a large precious stone.  A pretty floral garment invites small sparklers in similar shades to go hand in hand. For hand jewelry, the same rules apply. It's a question of harmonizing. Jewelry, unless it's the crown jewels, is an accessory, not the main event. Set the scene and let it shine!