Every year, as a new year approaches, I try to think of some goals to accomplish. These usually end up not going very far or become a waste of time. This year I tried something new – I created a challenge to push myself to create content for 30 straight days, but not just any content – I wanted to post one Reel a day and one photo a day. As I sat down to think of what to post, I started to feel defeated, like this was too crazy of a task – 30 videos is a lot. Then I came up with the jewelry calendar challenge, where each day has a prompt based on a unique theme of jewelry. I thought of my own collection, the categories I collect and what would be interesting for others to join in with, because I knew it would be more fun with others sharing too.
This was such a fun concept and I was blown away by the amount of people that joined in every day – I practically couldn’t keep up with resharing everyone’s contributions. I hope this project helped so many jewelry lovers find new accounts to follow (I know I found at least 50 new accounts), help collectors maybe widen their circle of things they collect (notice they’re missing a certain category or get interested in a new category) and have fun! Here’s the breakdown of the 30 Days:
(Thanks to my sister for creating the calendar)
Show Me Your…
1 – amethyst
2 – heart jewelry
3 – your birthstone
4 – turquoise
5 – your newest piece
6 – your favorite necklace stack
7 – celestial
8 – most expensive
9 – charm collection
10 – your favorite color
11 – aquamarine
12 – sentimental pieces
13 – best bands
14 – favorite hoops
15 – onyx
16 – oldest pieces
17 – enamel pieces
18 – lockets
19 – anything you inherited
20 – go-to studs
21 – favorite pinky ring
22 – engraved pieces
23 – emeralds
24 – cocktail rings
25 – animal jewels
26 – diamonds
27 – designer pieces
28 – opals
29 – favorite opaque gems
30 – your favorite bracelet stack
1 – amethyst
Let’s kick things off with the first day of this 30 day challenge – amethyst! Get out your amethyst jewels and show me what you got. If you’re a designer, show me some pieces you have for sale that feature amethyst. If you own a jewelry store, raid your amethyst section. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #gemgossipchallenge each day.
2 – heart jewelry
Heart jewelry tends to get a bad reputation, so let’s prove everyone wrong with today’s posts! Show me your heart jewelry.
3 – your birthstone
Today will be a fun one since there are so many birthstones 🤩 I’m a September baby so sapphire is my birthstone. I love sapphires, hoping to add more to my collection this year. Do you like your birthstone?
4 – turquoise
Turquoise is easily one of my favorite gems – I have so many turquoise rings I couldn’t fit them all in this post! Vintage styles done in yellow gold are my weakness, especially Victorian calibre cuts.
5 – your newest piece
Show me your newest piece! Mine is this sweet little emerald clover from @alexiskletjian – trying to be better about spending $ after the holidays so teeny tiny jewels are it.
6 – your favorite necklace stack
I went through all my #gemgossipneckparty photos and I think my most favorite necklace stack is this one! The photo charms have been such a keepsake & I’ve loved making them for people. Also the long necklace with my @foxandbond minis and other rondelles might be my favorite necklace I own.
7 – celestial
One of my favorite motifs to collect! Moons, stars, suns, comets, planets… ⭐️☄️💫🌠🪐🌎🔮🌌
8 – most expensive
Never thought I’d own a piece like this, but after learning more about @davidwebbjewels and visiting their boutique in NYC, getting to visit their workshop, and handle their pieces thanks to @levi_higgs I was instantly enthralled.
Special shout out to Citi bank for giving me a 0% interest credit card solely for this purchase 😆
9 – charm collection
Charms have become little irresistible treasures that I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of…it’s crazy to think I didn’t start obsessing over them until later in my years of collecting.
10 – your favorite color
Since my favorite color changes often, I couldn’t pick just one color…and I’m allowed to cheat at my own game. 😆🌈🌈🌈
11 – aquamarine
Aquamarine is such a beautiful gemstone – I definitely want more in my collection. Can’t wait to see yours 🌊
12 – sentimental pieces
When I started out collecting and obsessing over jewelry, sentimental pieces were non-existent in my jewelry box. It wasn’t until I became I mom when this category of jewels surged to the forefront and now almost every piece I buy must be sentimental in some way. Photo charms are so near and dear to me. If you want one, I can make you one!
13 – best bands
I like my bands thick and enameled 😍 preferably black & white! Can’t wait to see your bands today.
14 – favorite hoops
There’s only one thing that brings people together and that’s when talking about the power of a pair of gold hoops. 😆 My favorite pair are the helium hoops by @arielgordonjewelry – instant upgrade to any look, even sweats.
15 – onyx
Onyx holds a large stake in my collection for many reasons – black goes with my wardrobe, it’s classic, lots of pieces are very geometrical which is a style I love…and it’s not crazy expensive.
16 – oldest pieces
I had a few people ask if I meant oldest pieces because of their circa date or because you’ve had them the longest … and I guess today could be either! But I had originally meant oldest pieces based on when they were made.
These are mine – mostly late 1800s and a couple date rings. The old cut diamonds…some have engravings on the inside shank…just a few reasons why I love antique pieces.
17 – enamel pieces
Enamel details in jewelry 😍 I don’t think I need to say anything more. I love black, blue and white enamel … most of my enamel pieces are from the early 1900s.
18 – lockets
Lockets are so special. They were actually my gateway drug into the world of antique & vintage jewelry. I have such fond memories of booting up my family computer in the early 2000s and logging onto eBay. I would search for hours and find the most beautiful gold-filled lockets. I’m so glad I still have many of those from my early days of collecting, however here are my real gold lockets in my current collection.
19 – anything you inherited
My grandparents’ wedding bands might be my most cherished possession – they are a buttery 18k gold with the most beautiful patina. The inside shanks have a sophisticated cursive engraving that reads “Giampiera, Mattia 21.10.56” a wedding date which I wanted to share with them.
The band on the far left is my grandma’s 50th wedding anniversary band, which she wore from 2006 until she left us in August.
20 – go-to studs
Stud earrings are mostly what I’ve been wearing daily and these are usually my line-up I choose from. I’ve had these tiny dangle crosses from @rosssimons since maybe 2007 and found another pair in a scrap pile one time, which is why I have two pairs. I also believe you can’t go wrong with a gold ball. Lastly, a beautiful pair of gemstone studs to bring out the color of your eyes is all you need!
21 – favorite pinky ring
The pinky ring – a fun addition to any ring situation. I like to recommend a pinky ring if you don’t have one and I make sure to tell people who’ve never worn one that it takes a couple of weeks to get used to wearing a ring on your pinky…but after that, it’s like it’s not even there. Some of my favorite styles to wear on the pinky are signets, baby rings as midis, chunky gold, or a fun gemstone piece.
22 – engraved pieces
Each day I think “this is my favorite category” 😆 but seriously, a beautiful engraving will forever be one of my weaknesses. I’ve tagged where all these came from – the oval charms were once cufflinks and I had them engraved by @marketsquarejewelers – also love my newest ring from @charlieandmarcelle that features both boys’ names with a diamond in the middle.
23 – emeralds
I never really liked emeralds until my May baby was born and once I got a few, their allure has me smitten. Emeralds are truly enchanting and if you don’t have any in your collection, I highly recommend.
24 – cocktail rings
I love everything that classifies a ring as a cocktail ring – large, eye-catching, a symbol of opposition to Prohibition, rebellious and fun. Big rings make up most of my ring collection, so I picked 3 that I haven’t shown yet during the challenge.
25 – animal jewels
Give me a whole animal kingdom of jewels – I love when animals are depicted in jewelry. I have 3 snake rings, a panther bracelet & ring, a beaver charm, a beetle brooch, Scorpion charm, chihuahua charm…probably more 😵💫 after this challenge, I need to clean up & reorganize.
26 – diamonds
Get ready for some major sparkle on your Instagram feed today! Can’t wait to see all the different shapes, the chunky & wonky old cuts, the scintillating ideal cuts, and some open culets. And no, spell check, I did not mean to type cutlets.
27 – designer pieces
So much talent in the jewelry industry – it is such an honor to watch each designer’s growth & evolution over the last 15 years since starting Gem Gossip. I’m lucky to own these pieces – I tried pulling every designer piece from my collection but I know I’m missing some.
28 – opals
No words for opals – they’re simply magical & breath-taking. Can’t wait to see all the colors on my feed today!
29 – favorite opaque gems
I love opaque gemstones – so much so that when I had the opportunity to design a line of jewelry for QVC I made it entirely with opaque gems. I have a lot in my personal collection, so here are my favorites!
30 – your favorite bracelet stack
Last day of the challenge! My favorite bracelet stack is one I wear 24/7 and I love that because no matter what I’m doing, how I’m dressed or what I feel like, my bangles add some beauty to my day. I like looking down at my wrist and seeing all the memories each one holds & represents. Most of my stack are @yearlycompany bangles with a mix of 3 vintage pieces.
I’m excited to offer a $50 off code for any purchase $200+ at @yearlycompany – just use code GEMGOSSIP at checkout.
My bangles from @yearlycompany that I have are the delicate diamond, several Originals, a heavy twist, a custom emerald birthstone, and the @octaviaelizabeth collab thin Etoile.
