Neck Candy on a Budget

I will be the first to tell you that I am not a big jewelry person. I’d like to think it’s because I prefer a more streamlined look, but in reality, I think I’m just lazy. Most times I just don’t feel like choosing different jewelry pieces to go along with my outfit and I also am not very confident in matching jewelry that looks good with my clothes.

You’ll most often see me with the same timeless pieces: a signet ring, which I wear on my left ring finger, a gold “knot” ring I wear on my picky (both of which were given to me by my parents), and a delicate, round, gold disc stamped with a “C” on a gold chain.

So, when I do buy a new piece of jewelry, it had better be a great find at a great price. The last three necklaces I purchased fit this description to a T. The first necklace is quirky and fun and I unearthed it last summer on a sale rack at Aldo at The Gallery downtown. It has three charms on a medium-length, delicate, gold chain: a gold anchor wrapped in rope, a gold skull and a rough piece of turquoise. I love that at first glance the necklace is light, feminine and pretty, but upon closer inspection contains charms that are decidedly not feminine. Perhaps this necklace works for me because it is different than one might expect. I love the juxtaposition of wearing this necklace with a delicate blouse or simple sundress. And, of course, I love the look of surprise on people’s faces when they go to compliment me on the necklace only to look closer and see that’s is a little different than expected. Classic with a twist!  Best part (as always) is that it was only $5. 

This past holiday season I had my eye on a pair of silver necklaces with cubic zirconium detail from South Moon Under. Both necklaces had a silver snake pendant hanging on long, silver chains – one in a figure eight  shape and the other in an exaggerated “S” shape. I am generally not a big fan of the price point/quality combination of the pieces at SMU. Indeed, when I found these two necklaces, priced at $58 and $52 respectively, I questioned whether the price really fit the quality. Still, they were different, a little bit “dark” and edgy, the perfect accompaniment to a polished and classy outfit giving it a bit of the unexpected. So, I did what I always do in these situations – I began the wait.

This is the best photo I could find of both necklaces.

This is more detailed shot. 

I probably would have been disappointed if either necklace had come into my life and never gone on sale.  Maybe they are just too unique to forget quickly. Luckily for me, I’ll never have to find out because a month ago I stopped in South Moon Under to check on a pair of red pants (previously mentioned) I had been watching and Voila! - all their holiday jewelry was on sale. Although I did not see either necklace in the jewelry case, the helpful staff gladly checked their system, made a call and had one of the necklaces shipped from another store directly to me at no extra cost. The best part? The necklace was on sale from $52 to $28 and with the extra 30% they were offering that day I got my necklace for $19! Sure enough, I got the exact reaction I was hoping for the first time I wore it.

The last necklace I purchased came from Poppy and Stella in Fell's Point. Recently expanded to include the building directly next door, they now offer more clothes, jewelry and accessories to accompany their fantastic selection of shoes. Normally, their items can be a little pricey, so imagine my joyful surprise to find the necklace below for only $32!

Not only do I like the aqua, green and yellow stones all together in this piece, but the necklace also perfectly matches two cardigans I already own. So, I tried both on with a black dress to let the necklace shine on it's own. Which color combo do you prefer? Yellow or aqua?