Four pieces of jewellery every man should have.

It is seldom seen as such, but a strong jewellery collection can be a reliable cornerstone of your wardrobe and, if you choose it carefully, the right ring or necklace can add gravitas to an outfit that would otherwise lack it. Perhaps the best thing about jewellery, however, is its longevity. From a necklace you never have to take off to a signet ring you can pass down to the next generation, a good piece of jewellery can become an enduring part of your style in a way that a piece of clothing rarely can.

Men’s jewellery is entering a new chapter. Contemporary designers such as Mikia and Le Gramme are making jewellery for a new generation of would-be cuff-wearers and ring-lovers that can update your look in an instant. With more choice comes indecision, however, so in order to make it that bit easier to sort out what to add to your collection, we’ve picked out a few of our favourites below.

The good thing about bracelets: there’s something for everyone. The bad thing about bracelets: you can’t wear them with everything. A leather or beaded bracelet can lend you some summertime sprezzatura if you are dressed in, say, a seersucker suit in a Florentine plaza. It might, however, detract from the sharpness of your outfit at a black-tie event (in which case it’s better to stick to a silver or gold chain bracelet, which will suit the formality of the occasion). This one from Luis Morais toes the line nicely and is embellished with iconography typical of the brand: a skull and a Greek cross. TOM FORD’s woven leather bracelet is a casual iteration and comes with a gold T-bar, while this beaded bracelet from Japanese brand Mikia is made from bronzite, a mineral said to give you confidence. Whether you believe a bracelet can improve your social skills is another matter entirely, but it’s a nice-looking piece of jewellery that will work with pretty much any summery outfit. Which might, incidentally, boost your confidence after all.

A cuff is a metal bracelet that you can slip on and off. You might misguidedly assume it is a bangle, but it’s really much more sophisticated than that. Think of it as the bracelet’s snappier cousin from the city. Sturdy, masculine and modern, a metal cuff will sharpen up a casual look in a jiffy or, conversely, give a tailored outfit some edge. Opt for Gucci’s ornate take on the cuff if you want to command a bit of attention. Wear it with equally loud pieces, preferably from Gucci, to achieve this. For something a little stealthier that will work with, say, a suit, try Bottega Veneta’s silver cuff. Its oxidized finish has the deep patina of a piece of silver jewellery that’s been around for decades.

Rings might not be for everyone, but they can become a signature part of your style if you find one you love. Depending on the scenario, a ring can be the finishing touch to an outfit. For the everyday, you might want to keep it subtle – with this weightless 18-carat gold band from Le Gramme, for example – or make more of a statement at an event with this zigzag ring from Mikia. For the best of both worlds, go for this half gold half silver signet ring from Maison Margiela. It’s relatively weighty and will add a little dressiness, but not so much that you can’t incorporate it into a smart or casual outfit.

A necklace is potentially more statement-making than a ring or bracelet because it sits closer to the face and people are more likely to notice it. The Brazilian jeweller Luis Morais makes necklaces that work particularly well, for example, on a beachy summer holiday. This beaded wood and 18-carat gold necklace was practically made to peek out from beneath an open-neck camp-collar shirt. It fastens with a subtle memento mori, one of the brand’s go-to motifs, and can be wrapped twice around the wrist and worn as a bracelet when you want to switch things up a bit. For something that will work off the beach, go for silver. The lion on this pendant from Gucci holds a black Swarovski crystal in its jaws, while the silver necklace from Santa Fe-based brand Peyote Bird has been handcrafted by Mr Dennis Hogan, an expert on southwest American jewellery. Wear it over a plain T-shirt to add some pep to a casual look.