Ann's Jewelry Box: Guide to Building a Lifetime of Jewelry
Marking Life’s Milestones with Jewelry
A jewelry collection is something a woman builds her whole life, carries with her, and eventually turns into a part of her signature style and legacy. From an engagement ring marking the start of a partnership to a "push present" she chose to celebrate the birth of a child, each piece tells a story. Whether it’s an inherited heirloom from a mother or grandmother, a special design purchased for herself, a childhood cross necklace, or a high school class ring, these pieces hold memories. They signify moments in time and represent the story that her life tells.
I have always thought that the first time a girl opens a small, special box, she is given two things: the jewelry itself and the understanding that she is being trusted with something precious. Jewelry holds a magical contrast; it is dainty and small, yet it holds a meaning and value much larger than what fits in a tiny box. Even the most delicate designs in gold and precious stones are built to last a lifetime and can (or should) withstand anything.
With my family tradition of solid gold anniversary bangles, we were given a way to mark the passing of time and the years of marriage with thin gold bangles on our wrists. The stacks grow as the stories do. It is incredible to see all the women in my family together, gently jingling their stacks as they hug and catch up. These collections become as much a part of a woman’s legacy as her favorite shade of lipstick or the signature dish she brings to every gathering. These pieces are a part of her, and they will evoke her memory long after she is gone.
My Stack
My stack started with one of our family’s original gold bangles on my wedding day. A simple reminder that I was joining the tradition with my own gold bangle to mark the start of my marriage. Every year since, I’ve added to my stack. The first few years were from other jewelers I found online and asked to make these simple gold bangles, and eventually I started to make them myself in 2016.
I still absolutely love the simplicity of our classic thin gold bangles, but have really enjoyed adding new designs with meaning at certain special years.
Some Highlights:
My daughters each have a Diamond Bangle to represent them—pieces I look forward to passing down to them one day.
For our 10th anniversary, I designed the Anniversary Bangle, featuring two heavyweight stacking bands with ten "floating" diamonds nestled between them. It’s a beautiful piece that feels light and airy yet remains solidly crafted. Designing it was a wonderful experience; I shared my vision with one of our jewelers, and she brought it to life in secret. I didn’t see the final result until my husband surprised me with it during a special trip to Mexico. It reminded me that even when you know every design detail, jewelry can still surprise and delight you the moment you finally put it on.
In 2021, I added the Thick Etoile Bangle (our best-selling collaboration with Octavia Elizabeth), which marked a significant shift in my stack. Although it served as my anniversary piece for that year, it primarily reminds me of the excitement of that launch. It represents the power of working with talented women and the realization that collaboration often produces something far more special than working alone.
I chose the Knot Bangle for 2024, the year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I wanted a piece to mark that difficult chapter without letting it overwhelm my stack. Now, when I look at the knot, I see the six tiny diamonds representing the six chemo treatments I endured. I feel a deep sense of pride in my strength and immense gratitude for the support I received.
For our 15th anniversary, I selected the Diamond Eternity Bangle, featuring alternating marquise and round settings. It adds incredible texture and brilliance to my collection, yet its delicate profile allows it to blend perfectly with the others.
The Jewelry Book and Legacy
The concept for our Jewelry Book actually came from a customer who wanted a place to record the details of her special pieces. I loved the idea; it is so important to preserve the story behind the jewelry, especially when it is handed down one day. Our Visual Brand Manager, Jessie, worked on the layout, and we went back and forth, making sure that we covered all of the questions someone might want to answer about each piece. I am so proud of this book and excited to share it with our customers and community. A legacy in a jewelry collection deserves to be told and remembered.
Pieces from Other Brands
I obviously tend to create jewelry pieces for myself at Yearly and don’t often find the need to shop around. But, sometimes special pieces catch my eye or feel so meaningful and special that they were made for me. I loved working with my friend Octavia on my wedding ring, which was not my original ring, but a redesign for my 10th anniversary. It has 3 oval diamonds to represent my husband and two girls, and the stones are set on top of a solid tapered band, a nod to my mom’s ring with her stone set on top. Octavia dropped the diamonds down into a unique and secure setting so they sit almost flush and create the most comfortable and beautiful ring with her signature hammering for even more sparkle.
I also had her create a custom radiant diamond eternity band for me for Christmas in 2023. I had hit some significant milestones in my business and wanted to mark that with a solid band of diamonds. It’s the perfect chunky ring for me and fits beautifully with my Yearly Co. Triple Weight Diamond band stacked on top.
I have a few charms and pieces that I switch out as well:
A 1908 gold Coin from my great-grandparents: my great-grandfather gave my great-grandmother a solid gold coin as a wedding gift, so she would always have money in her pocket, and my mom gave it to me. I had it set as a pendant and wear it on our men’s box chain.
David Yurman heart: I saw this pavè heart with a rope edge detail and loved that it had a bail that opens and closes so it can be worn on thicker chains. My husband gave it to me for Mother’s Day when I was going through chemo, and it will always remind me of the way my family loved and cared for me when I was in treatment.
Carved stone animal cracker: My mom always made angel food cake with homemade whipped cream, raspberries, and those frosted animal crackers around it. When I saw this hand-carved piece from Sophie Gardner, I loved how whimsical and sentimental it was.
Heart from Tendenza: On an anniversary trip to New York one Fall, my husband and I went to a little jewelry store called Tendenza. They are known for custom pieces, and I chose a small heart-shaped ruby and pavè ‘nugget’ that can be worn on a chain or grouped with other pendants, like I often wear it using a Marla Aaron teardrop-shaped lock.
Mixing these unique pieces into my jewelry box helps to create unforgettable memories and to tell my story. I love building a meaningful jewelry collection that one day will be passed down to my girls.
I regularly share my outfits, bargain finds and investments on my Instagram. Follow along here if you’d like to see more! And never hesitate to DM me with a question or if you’re on the hunt for something, the only thing I love more than shopping for myself is shopping for someone else!
+Simple, but Not Boring: Embracing Everyday Style.
+Shop our Cross Bangle here.
+My Favorite Project I've Done at Yearly in a While.
