I love going to bazaars all over the world and exploring what each stall has inside. I can spend HOURS just turning over every trinket, and particularly enjoy hauling home my favorites so I can wear them ASAP. It’s the kind of place where you can find something truly unique, especially from small business that don’t have as much capital to be in retail full-time, but still have a lot to offer!

I started investing in fine jewelry in my late 20’s. Nothing beats owning something that will last a lifetime. But since fine jewelry does not come cheap, I find it best to choose classic pieces that will not look dated a decade from now. If you are thinking of starting a capsule collection of jewelry, choose pieces that are versatile so you get the most out of them. Here are my five recommendations for the most essential pieces of jewelry!

When I was a kid, I remember that my mom would lend me her gold jewelry every time there was a school event. If there’s a recognition day, graduation, communion, prom, foundation day, whatever it is, I would be wearing something extra special even though I just have a school uniform on. She would always caution me before leaving, “Wag mo iwawala yan!” (“Don’t lose it!”) as if I needed a reminder. But then I really didn’t understand what gold was worth before anyway. If I knew, I suppose I would have been more nervous about wearing my mom’s things!