It’s no secret to my friends and clients that I simply adore jewelry. ADORE. Always have. I love the sparkle, the quality of different stones, the architectural genius of certain designs.

My love for jewelry infuses my work as an image consultant, too. I love it because of the way a change of jewelry (and, okay, maybe a switcheroo of the bag and shoes) can COMPLETELY change an outfit. So … one black dress, and three changes of jewelry and you have three outfits. (Here are some famous examples of the power of a pin … or a necklace ….)

How great is that?! It makes it easier to spend money on things that can be worn more often. It makes it easier to pack. It makes it easier to, yes, look more stylish. (And isn’t that what we all want?!)

But many of my clients find jewelry to be overwhelming and confusing.

Does jewelry confuse YOU?

It doesn’t have to. Whether you have overflowing jewelry box or an empty one, intimidation at the jewelry counter or lack of confidence in your decisionmaking, it’s time to get over these common jewelry concerns.

What do I do with jewelry I already have but don’t wear?

Guess what? Just like your clothing wardrobe, your jewelry “wardrobe” need purging and editing, because it can accumulate over the years, too. You likely have jewelry that’s broken, has lost its meaning to you, or no

longer suits your style (if it ever did). Take an afternoon and go through your jewelry. Keep what you love and discard or donate what’s broken or out of style. Your discards would be welcomed at women’s shelters, Dress for Success—type organizations, or consignment stores.

I’ve spent so much money on clothes, why would I spend money on jewelry?

Your outfits look more polished and stylish when you wear jewelry. It also adds more depth, definition, and interest to what you’re wearing. Jewelry expresses your style and individuality. Another plus for spending money on jewelry is that it expands your clothing investment, often by a LOT. Adding or changing the jewelry you’re wearing transforms simple, classic clothing pieces.

There’s so much to choose from, how can I possibly know what to buy?

Pay attention to three things: color, proportion, and personal appeal. If you buy higher-end fashion or costume jewelry that mirrors your own coloring, you’ve made a good investment. So, for instance, if your coloring is warm, look for warm metals (gold, brass, copper) and warmer shades of stones, gemstones, or colored beads. If your coloring is cool, go for cooler shades in jewelry and you’ll be able to wear them all the time.

In addition, look at the scale of your features and bones to understand proportion. If you have large bones, chances are that bigger-scale pieces will look better on you. If you have small facial features, more delicate pieces will be better on you. If you have a mix of small and large features, you’ll be able to mix large -scale items with smaller-scale ones. Or if you’re working with large scaled proportion but like delicate necklaces, try clustering multiple layers of them to create a bigger impact.

Jewelry pieces generally stay with us a lot longer than clothing pieces do. Be sure the ones you collect are ones you really look forward to wearing. If you love it, you’ll wear it and enjoy it.

Is it okay to wear the same jewelry pieces every day?

There are many examples in fashion history as well as modern times where a woman was known for signature jewelry that she wore everyday. It could be an arm full of bangles, multiple strands of pearls or large rings. (Think Coco Chanel.)

But you may not be satisfied with a signature jewelry look, and that’s fine. Most people change their jewelry according to their activities – what you wear to the soccer game isn’t what you wear to work or the theater. This is why you may want or need a variety of jewelry just like you have more than one outfit.

How do I fit accessorizing into my schedule when I’m already late in the morning?

Spend some time during the weekend creating a few outfits to wear for the following week. When you’re not stressed out, it’s easier to finish an outfit from head to toe, paying closer attention to the jewelry details. Either write down all the pieces of the outfit, including the jewelry, hang each look together, or take a picture. You can even put the jewelry you’ll need for each outfit into a separate Ziploc bag and hang it with the clothing pieces. Then create a section of your closet for these grab-and-go outfits. Just think how stress-free you’ll be when Monday rolls around! (Need inspiration? Take a look here.)