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How to Choose What Color Jewelry to Wear
When deciding what color jewelry to wear, consider your skin’s undertones, eye color, and skin sensitivity. These traits guide which metals and gemstones will complement you best.
Cool Undertones | Warm Undertones | Neutral Undertones | Blue Eyes | Green or Brown Eyes | Hazel Eyes | Sensitive Skin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Silver | X | X | X | X | X | ||
Gold | X | X | X | X | |||
Gemstones | Blue and purple gemstones | Golden hued gemstones | All gemstones | Blue and purple gemstones | Earth toned gemstones | Earth toned gemstones | All gemstones |
Best Jewelry Colors for Your Undertone
Your undertone is the subtle hue beneath the surface of your skin. Undertone is the most important factor in determining which metal color flatters you most—and it never changes, even with sun exposure.
Quick Ways to Determine Your Undertone
1. The Vein Test: Examine the veins on your wrist under natural light.
- Blue or purple veins indicate cool undertones
- Green veins suggest warm undertones
- A mix of both or difficulty telling suggests neutral undertones
2. Sun Exposure Reaction: Consider how your skin reacts to the sun.
- If you burn easily or rarely tan, you likely have cool undertones
- If you tan easily and rarely burn, you probably have warm undertones
3. White Paper Test: Hold a white paper next to your face without makeup.
- If your skin appears pinkish or rosy, you have cool undertones
- If your skin looks yellowish, you have warm undertones
- If neither is prominent, you likely have neutral undertones
For Cool Undertones
Cool-toned individuals typically have pink, red, or bluish undertones in their skin. The best metal choices include:
- Best Metals: Silver, white gold, platinum
- Best Gemstones: Sapphire, amethyst, blue topaz
- Avoid: Yellow gold and copper, which may appear harsh
For Warm Undertones
Those with warm undertones have golden, peachy, or yellow hints in their skin. Your ideal metals include:
- Best Metals: Yellow gold, rose gold, copper, brass
- Best Gemstones: Citrine, amber, turquoise
- Avoid: Silver can look stark unless paired with warm-toned stones
For Neutral Undertones
With the versatility to wear both warm and cool metals, you have the freedom to experiment:
- Best Metals: All metals suit you — mix silver and gold for flexibility
- Best Gemstones: Nearly all colors flatter your balanced tone
- Style Tip: Base your choices on personal style or outfit coordination
Choosing Jewelry Colors for Your Eyes
Select jewelry that intensifies your eye color:
- Blue Eyes: Silver, white gold, and blue or purple gemstones
- Green Eyes: Yellow gold and stones with golden hues — amber, citrine, sunstone
- Brown Eyes: Warm metals like gold, brass, and earthy gemstones — garnet, peridot
- Hazel Eyes: Try both silver and gold — gemstone tones that can pull out either green or brown
Matching Jewelry Colors to Hair
Your hair color acts as a backdrop to your jewelry. Here’s how to pair metals and stones for maximum effect:
Blonde Hair
- Cool blondes: silver or platinum
- Warm blondes: yellow gold or rose gold
- Gemstones: Aquamarine, pink sapphire, pastel shades
Brunette Hair
- Warm-toned gold or bronze metals add richness
- Gemstones: Ruby, garnet, emerald
Black Hair
- Cool metals like silver create striking contrast
- Gemstones: Emerald, turquoise, amethyst
Red Hair
- Warm metals like gold, copper, or brass enhance natural vibrance
- Gemstones: Green stones like peridot and emerald, deep blue sapphire
Consider Skin Sensitivity When Choosing Jewelry Color
For those with sensitive skin or metal allergies it’s important to consider your skin’s needs before investing in pieces you can’t comfortably wear. Avoid nickel-containing alloys — the best hypoallergenic metals are platinum, sterling silver, and titanium. Nickel-free and rhodium-plated white gold can also be good hypoallergenic options.
Jewelry Color by Seasonal Color Theory
If you're familiar with seasonal color analysis, you can also use this method to guide your jewelry choices.
- Spring (warm undertone): Yellow gold, pastel gemstones
- Summer (cool undertone): Silver, rosy pink and soft blue gemstones
- Autumn (warm undertone): Brass, copper, earth toned gemstones
- Winter (cool undertone): Platinum, silver, deep jewel tones
FAQ
Is gold or silver colored jewelry more expensive?
There's a metal to suit every budget, with considerable price variations between options:
Gold-Tone Options
- Solid gold: Durable and long-lasting but expensive
- Gold vermeil: Gold over sterling silver—affordable with decent longevity
- Gold-filled: Thicker layer of gold, more durable than plated
- Gold-plated: Most affordable, but may fade with wear
- Brass: Gold-like appearance for budget-friendly looks
Silver-Tone Options
- Platinum: Highly durable but comes at a premium
- White gold: Luxurious look, priced similarly to yellow gold
- Sterling silver: Affordable and durable for everyday wear
- Stainless steel: Tough, low-maintenance, and very affordable
Though initially more expensive, investing in quality solid gold pieces that are timeless and versatile can be more economical long-term than repeatedly replacing alternatives. Choose versatile pieces that complement your skin tone and can be worn often. Think in terms of cost-per-wear.
What color jewelry looks best on cool skin tones?
What color jewelry suits warm skin tones?
Can I wear both silver and gold jewelry?
Yes. If you have neutral undertones, both silver and gold jewelry will suit you. Mixing metals is also a modern, stylish choice for anyone — regardless of undertone.
Is rose gold good for all skin tones?
Yes, rose gold is universally flattering, especially for those with neutral or mixed undertones. It also works well with most gemstone colors.
Can I wear jewelry that doesn’t match my undertone?
Yes — style is personal. While undertone guidelines help enhance natural features, the best jewelry is what makes you feel confident and reflects your personality.
What if my jewelry doesn’t match my clothing hardware (zippers, buttons)?
Matching metals to clothing details can create a cohesive look, but it’s not essential. Mixed metals are widely accepted in modern styling, so don’t be afraid to wear silver jewelry with a gold-buckled belt or purse.
Should my engagement ring or wedding band metal match my everyday jewelry?
Not necessarily. If you wear your bridal jewelry daily, you can either match it for a uniform look or intentionally contrast it with other metal tones for variety. Mixed-metal ring stacks are a popular solution for bridging styles.
How do I make sure my jewelry doesn’t clash with my makeup?
Cool-toned makeup (like blue-based reds or silver eyeshadow) pairs well with silver jewelry. Warm-toned makeup (like coral, peach, or bronzy tones) complements gold. For neutral makeup, either metal can work depending on your outfit.
Can jewelry color affect how white my teeth look?
Surprisingly, yes. Cool-toned metals (like silver or white gold) can make your teeth appear whiter because they contrast with yellow tones. Warm metals may slightly emphasize yellowing, depending on lighting and surrounding colors.
