The jewelry one wears in spring has to check a few boxes. It has to feel light and airy and fresh, capturing that sense of giddy excitement that comes with warmer air and longer days. No longer encumbered by layers of cold weather armor, we want to be draped in elegance and showcase our easy breazy, free-spirited side. It has to be cheerful. Whether through color palette or design, it has to spark joy. It’s time to lay aside being serious for a while, the season is fleeting, and our jewelry can serve as a reminder to enjoy the present moment. And it has to be of exceptional quality. We’re getting out into the world again after the dark days of winter after all, we’re going to be throwing on our jewelry every chance we get and it needs to stand tests of admiration and durability.

A strand of gems in the muted hues of springtime makes a breathtaking statement, and colorful, stackable bangles offer a versatility that can bring a wardrobe through a best friend’s spring wedding to a day of brunch and shopping. The quality of a piece of jewelry can often be seen in its simplicity. In truly imaginative design, a piece’s uniqueness can be displayed in subtleties that give classic, understandable silhouettes an interesting edge, the excitement of its design revealed in the level of artistry that was required for its creation.

Pieces that mirror the whimsicality of the season are an everyday go-to for expressing the mood of the season. Donning garden motifs like butterflies and flowers, or pops of pearls in festive settings, captures a sense of joie de vivre, their playfulness inviting us to take notice of our surroundings.

When in doubt, it’s always advisable to go with a classic. Especially if the piece is a well-crafted, tried and true, never goes out of fashion design. Arms of gold give off that Wonder Woman vibe that feels right for the optimism of spring, and a classic gold hoop is a perfect accessory for any occasion, from the garden to the grind. And of course, there’s always diamonds. Stacks on the wrist, a lariat style diamond line necklace or, for the extraordinarily lucky, a natural color diamond cocktail ring, it’s always the season for diamonds.