Let your jewelry be your personal statement

Self-expression transcends words. It’s a look, a smile, total body language – all giving hints about who we are and what we want to say. We can also express ourselves with what we wear. You’ve heard the phrase about people wearing their hearts on their sleeves. So why not wear your heart on your wrist … or around your neck, finger, ankle, or in your ears – or any place else? You can share your heart, and just about anything else you want, by wearing jewelry. You can do so without concern about trends and fads. When it comes down to it, the only fashion fad to follow is the one where you don’t follow any fashion fad. Do your own thing. Let your personal style show. But if a trend pops up and that trend reflects your style and allows you to express yourself, that’s okay. The same goes for your jewelry. That’s probably why a lot of ladies found themselves charmed by charm bracelets. An item that was popular decades ago, charm bracelets became trendy a few years ago and remains popular. And as a bonus, charm bracelets for girls are very popular, so your daughter will be delighted to get one too! The appeal back then, and now, is that you can add all sorts of charms to your bracelet – and each charm tells your story to anyone paying attention. For example: If you love tennis, there’s a tennis racket charm that you can put on your bracelet. The charms can give clues on your personal life milestones, celebrations, or commemorations. You can have as many charms as you want, made out of whatever material you want! You can tell everything about yourself, or keep them guessing! Another jewelry piece can help you make a statement about what’s important to you are necklace pendants and lockets. A doting mother might have her baby’s picture in a little locket she wears around her neck, and for something really cute, get a girls locket for daughter, too! A religious person might wear a religious symbol pendant on a necklace. Some people wear pendants of words that sum up their personal philosophies. You might see words such as “hope,” “love,” and “faith” dangling around people’s necks, on bracelets, or as part of earrings. Custom-made jewelry is yet another way to express yourself. You can have a say about the material used, the design, and every detail. If your self-expression centers on a closeness and love of nature, you could opt for jewelry with natural stones and elements. The true path to self-expression calls for you to pick whatever jewelry you like to make whatever personal statement you want. But there are several perceptions (or misperceptions?) that have become attached to certain types of jewelry. Some are just plain old stereotypes. All of this is silly. Because it’s not asking society to label you. It’s about you being who you want to be and expressing what you want to express … however you want to express it. Still, let’s take a look at a few of those perceptions and stereotypes (many of which contradict one another). Perhaps perceptions, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Here are a few of those perceptions and stereotypes.rnIf you wear … Large, bright-colored, and shiny pieces: You are considered to be a bold, strong-willed person who doesn’t mind having all eyes on her. You are perceived as confident. Then, there are people who don’t like large jewelry and consider it – and the person wearing it – tacky. Body jewelry (for body piercings): You are perceived as some who doesn’t lose sleep worrying about what the world thinks of you. You are adventurist. You are non-traditional and a non-conformist. Or, you’re someone who want to be any or all of those things. Or, it could be you simply saying this is your vision of beauty. Diamonds: Depending on how many diamonds and how many carats you are wearing at once. It could be perceived that you live a luxurious life filled with glamour and glitz. Oh, and it is also believed to a message to the world that you have a lot of money. Pearls: You are thought to be classy and/or preppy, depending on what else you are wearing with your pearls. Elegant and traditional are other words used to describe pearl wearers. Bold chain necklace: You are in charge, and that’s the statement this chain is making. But if it’s too big, you might be mistaken for a 1980’s rap music star. Art-inspired pieces: You are creative, hip and unique. Layered necklaces or bracelets or stacked rings: You must like attention. Lots of jewelry gets lots of attention. Vintage pieces: Either you are sentimental or you’re hopping on a vintage-jewelry trend. Forget about the stereotypes. Wear whatever jewelry you want to express whatever you want. If people choose to buy into these common perceptions and stereotypes, that’s their problem. What matters is that you can choose any form of self-expression that appeal to you … including jewelry. Not a word needs to be said.