Top 10 Jewelry Investment Pieces Everyone Needs

Here at Biltmore Loan and Jewelry, where experts conduct appraisals backed by decades of experience and gemological training, we know which items have the best resale value. Below are ten must-have jewelry investments, each with examples from the world’s most prestigious brands. We accept these pieces as collateral or may purchase them outright, depending on quality and condition.

 

1. Diamond Stud Earrings

Diamond studs are one of the most wearable investments. You can wear them no matter the occasion, whether you’re having brunch with friends, going to the office, or attending a gala. Each pair returns more use than almost any other high-value piece.

For long-term value, invest in natural, GIA-graded diamonds. While lab-grown and simulants are an option, keep in mind that their liquidity drops as soon as you buy them. Mind the cut quality, too, since poorly cut stones lose light and appear smaller than they are. Choose platinum or 18k gold settings, and avoid pairs with visible inclusions or mismatched color.

Top picks from established jewelry brands:

  • Tiffany Solitaire Diamond Stud Earrings
  • Elsa Peretti® Diamonds by the Yard® Earrings by Tiffany & Co.
  • Harry Winston Classic Round Brilliant Diamond Earstuds
  • Laurence Graff Signature Diamond Stud Earrings

Well-crafted diamond studs have never fallen out of fashion. With GIA certification and designer brand authentication, they become immediate assets.

 

2. Hoop Earrings

Hoops never go unnoticed. Size, metal purity, and brand elevate them from casual to investment-grade. Slim or oversized, hoops are must-have investments, especially when made in solid gold or set with diamonds.

Selected pieces from leading luxury maisons:

  • Clash de Cartier Hoop Earrings
  • Bvlgari B.Zero1 Hoops
  • Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée Pearls of Gold Hoop Earrings
  • Tiffany Lock Earrings

Well-maintained designer hoops in precious metals consistently attract buyers, especially when sold with original boxes and paperwork.

 

3. Tennis Bracelet

Brought into the mainstream by Chris Evert in 1978, the tennis bracelet is one of the world’s most sought-after jewelry pieces. Everyone who’s anyone owns one, from Taylor Swift to Sophia Richie and Hailey Bieber. The most popular type boasts a continuous row of identical diamonds or gemstones.

Coveted pieces from designer brands include:

  • Tiffany & Co. Victoria® Bracelets
  • Harry Winston Round Brilliant Diamond Tennis Bracelet

A well-cut, beautifully set tennis bracelet from a high-end maison rarely loses market interest. It works as a standalone piece or as part of a layered wrist stack.

 

4. Solitaire Pendant Necklace

One high-quality diamond suspended on a fine chain is the epitome of understated elegance. No other necklace transitions as effortlessly between day and evening wear.

Standout pieces from leading jewelry brands:

  • Graff Diamond Solitaire Pendants
  • Elsa Peretti® Diamonds by the Yard® Pendant

A solitaire pendant can have a higher resale value when the diamond meets grading standards for cut and clarity.

 

5. Luxury Dress Watch

While not technically jewelry, premium timepieces with diamond bezels, mother-of-pearl dials, one-of-a-kind designs, or limited-edition features are highly collectible, especially when a Swiss or French atelier manufactures them.

Recommendations for first-time investors:

Luxury watches from top Maisons tend to retain their value when well-maintained, serviced, and accompanied by their original papers.

 

6. Cocktail Ring

A cocktail ring is an eye-catching, often oversized accessory worn as a statement. One can elevate or even complete a look all on its own. It doesn’t blend in with other pieces, and that’s one of the reasons why it appeals to collectors.

While some may think that cocktail rings are “old-fashioned,” major jewelry houses still produce pieces with diamonds, gemstones, and high-karat gold or platinum, and collectors continue to invest in them, knowing they’re getting their money’s worth.

Some investment-worthy collections:

  • Elsa Peretti® Cabochon Rings
  • Van Cleef & Arpels Pâquerette Rings, Bouton d’Or Rings, and other cocktail rings
  • David Yurman Albion® Rings

A cocktail ring with brand paperwork and minimal wear can fetch high resale prices, even years after its original purchase date.

 

7. Classic Pearl Necklace

Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn wore them, and so did modern icons like Rihanna and Harry Styles. A strand of pearls deserves a place in everyone’s wardrobe because it’s timeless and adds a touch of elegance and grandeur to a look. Some collectors prefer perfect symmetry (uniform size, high luster, and one knot per bead), while others choose baroque shapes or South Sea strands with more variation. Either way, appraisers check for surface quality, string tension, and clasp integrity.

Well-kept designer pearls resell for higher prices. Examples include:

  • Mikimoto Akoya Cultured Pearl Necklace with 18K Yellow Gold Clasp
  • Dior 30 Montaigne Short Necklace
  • Tiffany & Co. Freshwater Pearl Necklace in Sterling Silver

 

8. Tennis Necklace

Like a tennis bracelet, the necklace version is a line of closely set diamonds. Once reserved for red-carpet appearances, it has become a modern layering essential. Investment value comes from the precious metal’s purity, diamond quality, total carat weight, and brand signature.

Some of the most stunning tennis necklaces from top jewelry brands include:

  • Round Brilliant Straightline Diamond Necklace
  • Graff White Oval Diamond Graduated Line Necklace
  • Cartier Essential Lines Necklace

The high carat weight and craftsmanship of these pieces can command six-figure resale values.

 

9. Gold Bangle

With endless styling and stacking options, gold bangles from prestigious jewelry houses are in high demand due to their versatility. Plus, they’re pretty to look at!

Some of the most beloved designer bracelets, which you’ve likely seen on someone’s wrist at least once or twice, include:

 

10. Stackable Rings

Thin and chunky bands made of gold or platinum, whether plain or accented with diamonds, are versatile and fun, allowing the wearer to mix and match their pieces.

Some of the most popular designer rings to stack include:

Rings from high-end brands have high resale values, especially when sold in excellent condition, with the original receipt and packaging.

 

Cash In Your Jewelry Investments

At Biltmore Loan and Jewelry, our experts offer accurate evaluations based on market demand, designer provenance, metal content, and stone certification. We accept fine jewelry as collateral for short-term asset-based loans or purchase it outright with discretion and transparency. If you need fast cash or are ready to move on from jewelry you no longer wear, visit us in Scottsdale, Arizona.