How to Start a Meaningful Jewelry Collection During a Recession

Is this the best of times to start a jewelry collection? If not now, when? The United States is deeply mired in a recession; the price of gold and precious metals are at record highs. The cost of a barrel of oil has hit prices most of us (economists aside) never saw coming. Much like the housing market, where it's truly a buyer's market, now may be the perfect time to start a solid jewelry collection for yourself or as an inheritance for your loved ones. Perhaps the best news of all is that you don't need to spend a lot of money at all in starting your collection. As consumers are spending less, jewelry designers have become increasingly creative in marketing their products.

I've found, as I've grown older, that high end designer clothing and handbags don't interest me nearly as much as they did ten, five or even three years ago. It's a lot more difficult to dress a body that isn't 25 years old today. While I admire the look of a stunning Louis Vuitton or Botkier handbag, I've grown a little wiser over the years: handbags can be damaged, worn out or, God forbid, stolen or lost. Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Miu Miu, Sue Wong, Vera Wang - these designers seem to have mysteriously overnight considered a size 0 as the perfect dress size. I've come to rely upon carefully selected pieces of Chico's as my new love in clothing.

What does last longer than a handbag or a silk shirt? What can be passed down from generation to generation, where body shape or size doesn't matter? What can actually gain in value in as little as six months to a year? What can actually be re-sold at a profit in that amount of time? Quality jewelry, and it's not - definitely not - out of reach for us, the average consumer.

I started out collecting works by the designer Barry Kieselstein Cord several years ago because I'm a huge fan of his alligator-shaped pieces. I purchased earrings, a bracelet, then more earrings, on Ebay. The seller's reputation(s) were impeccable, the pieces fun, interesting and unlike anything else I'd ever owned. I currently own three rings, two bracelets, four pairs of earrings and a handbag by this designer. BKC has been designing whimsical jewelry since the early 1970's. Much of his work features designs we've not seen before: Labrador retrievers, alligators, (he's very big with his Hugo Alligator!), bees, daisies, frogs, elephants and more. His works are also highly coveted and collected by luminaries such as Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and Tom Hanks, to name just a few. Much of his work is 18K yellow gold; his higher end pieces are sold at Bergdorff Goodman and I believe Neiman Marcus department stores, as well as through his sole New York City store. Pieces include earrings, cuff links, bracelets, cuffs, rings, pendants and more. To get a clear picture of his higher end pieces - which can range in price from $10,000 to $60,000 or more - visit his web site, www.barrykieselsteincord.com. While prices aren't given on the site, there is a number which you can call to find out prices for any item shown. His sterling alligator earrings with diamond eyes are amazingly beautiful! BKC is also known for his belt buckles for both men and women, in 18K gold or sterling silver. Frequently, his works feature a combination of both.

He also has an amazing line of skull-shaped jewelry formed by diamonds. I haven't even inquired as to their prices yet!

BKC is a very well respected, established jewelry designer who has recently been 'rediscovered'. A lot of this is due to the fact that he has developed a line sold strictly on that old favorite cable shopping network, QVC. His works have been part of QVC's jewelry line for the last ten years, and are designed for the most part by BKC 's "right hand man", Kay Bogdan. Ms. Bogdan was recently featured on QVC in early July at the unholy air time of 1:00 A.M. Eastern Time. I was able to catch a few minutes of the show; Ms. Bogdan is a petite, well-dressed woman who seemed, frankly, totally underwhelmed at being on the air live in the middle of the night.

The secret to starting your jewelry collection at a great price point is QVC. At present, they offer twelve different items from Barry Kieselstein Cord, including rings, pendants, bracelets, and a necklace. Prices range from $49.95 to nearly $700.00. By making your first Kieselstein Cord purchase through QVC - especially when an item is being phased out, or 'retired' - is a great way to start! Another great source for BKC jewelry is via Ebay. I'd suggest you search under the key words 'Kieselstein Cord' and 'Barry Cord' for what's currently listed. Be advised, though, that over the past year or so, Kieselstein Cord's jewelry, as well as his discontinued line of handbags, his retired jewelry pieces, and his more affordable, QVC pieces - have been extremely, extremely popular and sought out. Search carefully, diligently and often, and you'll score a bargain! Keep in mind: you honestly can't go wrong with the purchase of a Barry Kieselstein Cord piece of jewelry. From my personal experience, they not only always hold their value, they also increase in value in as little as three to six months' time, depending upon the item. I'd start with buying the lesser expensive sterling silver line. Of course, you can always shoot for the $57,400 BKC 18K and diamond necklace if you'd like! Any time that Oprah Winfrey puts her seal of approval on a designer - as she has publicly with Barry Kieselstein Cord, you've got a winner!

Other jewelry designers that I'd start collecting include Judith Ripka and Barbara Bixby - both of whom are also sold via QVC. Ripka has long been considered an outstanding jewelry designer. A lot of her pieces on QVC feature this 'Diamonique' touch, which are lab-manufactured 'diamonds'. They are quite pretty, but aren't what we'd consider 'real' diamonds, hence their price - and value - is significantly lower. I'd start again with Ripka's sterling silver line, especially rings. If you can steer clear of the 'Diamonique' items, I think you'll be safer in terms of an investment. But again, Ripka is a very well known jewelry designer whose works are carried only in high-end jewelry stores. There is a huge difference in what you'd buy in a Judith Ripka piece from a jewelry store and what you'll find on QVC. But, like Barbara Bixby - whose specialty is pearls! - it comes down to a matter of your goal. Also keep in mind that QVC often discounts jewelry from these three designers as well. Also, even though they may be lower price point items, they really do hold their value. Two months ago, QVC was offering nearly twenty of Cord's designs. As of August 1, 2008, they were down to only nine items. The other eleven pieces of jewelry that QVC carried? They're now considered retired and out of circulation - and highly coveted by Cord collectors who are looking for both retired and lower-priced jewelry items for themselves.

If you're looking to start a jewelry collection when you have a set budget, you honestly can't go wrong with a QVC purchase from the three designers named above. They won't break the bank, and they are, for the most part, extremely pretty and quite well made. (Check the QVC customer feedback before purchasing anything on QVC! Their customers are brutally honest, and this can be a real life saver if you're uncertain about making a purchase. Keep in mind, too, that QVC does have a wonderful return policy if you're not totally satisfied with your purchase.) While your QVC purchases won't be of the same quality and caliber as those found in jewelry or the designer's own stores, it is definitely the start for a solid, economically sound collection. Don't forget to check what Ebay has to offer as well. There are a number of Ebay sellers, particularly in the area of West Chester, Pennsylvania (where QVC's studio is located) who also sell QVC jewelry items from these designers at LOWER prices than offered on QVC itself. Check these out very carefully; some may be damaged customer returns, which is why they can offer them to you at what seems to be a good, very low price. If you can buy a QVC high-end jewelry designer's piece at 50% off of QVC's price because the piece "shows some wear", it may not be a bad deal in reality, especially if you plan on wearing the piece. It's going to get some nicks and bruises anyway when you wear it; why not save money towards your next purchase by buying at a good price? And always be on the lookout for these designers' higher-price point lines as well. You never know, when times are tough, when a seller must sell a really great piece of jewelry at an incredibly low price for financial reasons.

With Ebay, you can actually start a "Search" for certain items for which you're looking, and the site will email you new listings as they arrive. With QVC, I'd suggest checking with their site frequently to see what pieces they may be discontinuing - always a good sign! it's now a 'hard to find' item! - on a pretty regular basis as well. Once they're gone, they're gone - except, of course on Ebay's secondary market!

Whether you're starting a collection from the three jewelry designers whom I'd recommend for yourself, or as an inheritance for future generations, this is actually a very good economic time in which to start. Individual collectors and retailers need your money; you need to pick up some fabulous buys to start off your collection at great prices!