Building a significant sterling silver jewelry collection doesn't have to be expensive - and you certainly don't need to sacrifice quality and style for price. Just like building a wardrobe, there are certain key pieces you can stock your sterling silver jewelry collection with to create hundreds of interesting looks and combinations.

The wonderful thing about sterling silver jewelry is that it's elegant and yet affordable enough to build a significant collection. The workable flexibility and finished strength of sterling silver allows for the creation of both intricate and simple designs. Sterling silver jewelry is stunning whether buffed to a brilliant shine or polished with an antique nostalgic finish.

When building a sterling silver jewelry wardrobe, begin with essential pieces that look great anywhere - from a business meeting to a romantic dinner or even in your jeans and a t-shirt while running errands. "Essential" pieces include the necessary classic basics that are the staples of every jewelry collection.

Sterling Silver Earrings

Few pieces of jewelry can bring an outfit together like a nice pair of sterling silver earrings. Sterling silver stud earrings are lightweight and complement any outfit. To add a little more sparkle on a budget, consider cubic zirconia, or silver cz jewelry. Cubic zirconias resemble a true diamond and only a well-trained jeweler can tell them apart. Cubic zirconia studded earrings with a sterling silver base are truly dazzling. For something larger and more eye-catching, sterling silver hoop earrings are a great classic option that will go with most every wardrobe.

Sterling Silver Necklaces

When shopping for sterling silver necklaces, look for classic chains in several different lengths so they will look great, no matter what type of blouse you wear. A turtleneck needs a longer necklace, at least 20" - 24" in length. A scooped-neck or v-neck top usually calls for a shorter necklace, usually between 14" - 18" in length. A plain pendant chain is thin and elegant while thicker rope or box chains are stronger and glisten a little more.

Sterling Silver Bracelets

As with earrings, sterling silver bracelets are beautiful when made strictly of sterling silver or with the addition of sparkly cubic zirconias. Silver cz jewelry tennis bracelets are sophisticated and rich looking. Classic plain sterling silver bracelets include simple chains that match sterling silver necklaces, intricately woven designs, or thick bangles that slip over your hand.

Sterling Silver Rings

Rounding out the basic classics of a sterling silver jewelry wardrobe is sterling silver rings - for your fingers or even for your toes! As with bracelets, sterling silver rings can include intricately woven designs or thick bands. Sterling silver rings can also be inlaid with cubic zirconias. Many people enjoy giving sterling silver rings as gifts. For example, a memorable Mother's Day gift is a sterling silver ring set with your Mother's birthstone or with the birthstones of all of your Mother's children.

Believe it or not, many women purchase sterling silver rings with cubic zirconias as engagement rings! Cubic zirconias so closely resemble diamonds and they look beautiful set in sterling silver - they also offer an elegant look for a reasonable price.

Starting an impressive wardrobe of sterling silver jewelry is exciting and won't break the bank. Even if you're starting a jewelry collection for yourself or a loved one from scratch, sterling silver is affordable enough that you can purchase many pieces for the same price as one piece of gold jewelry.