Metal jewelry is a great way to add some extra shine and glamour to your outfit, and choosing the right metal for your skin tone is key to ensuring that your jewelry complements your overall look. Different metal types enhance some skin tones and clash with others, so it is important to know what works best for you. This blog post is your guide to pairing metal jewelry with your unique skin tone. I hope that it empowers you to wear jewelry that enhances your inner glow.
IDENTIFY YOUR HUE
To begin, determine whether your complexion is warm, cool, or neutral. Different undertones can be seen across all skin shades. Cool undertones include pink and bluish hues. Warm undertones range from peach to yellow and golden. Neutral undertones have a mixture of both warm and cool tones. Look at the veins on your inner wrist. If they appear blue, then you likely have a cool undertone. If they look green, your undertone is probably warm. If the veins look equal parts blue and green, then your skin-tone is neutral.
LIGHTLY TANNED, FAIR-OLIVE WITH SUN-KISSED YELLOW UNDERTONES (WARM)
You have that lit-from-within glow. Your warm complexion has a yellow hue which pairs beautifully with gold jewelry. Particularly 18K yellow gold. If you're lightly tanned, then green gold is also a great choice. Unfamiliar with green gold? Check out Me&Ro, all of their 18K yellow gold pieces are actually made from a green gold alloy. (Pro tip: shop for Me&Ro jewelry on the secondary market because their resale value is not amazing). And if you're on the very fair side of olive, then rose gold looks divine on your dewey hue.
MEDIUM TO DARK OLIVE OR MEDITERRANEAN SKIN (WARM)
Your skin looks like a sunset reflecting off the Mediterranean Sea at dusk. It is enviable. Almost any metal tone will compliment your warm and radiant complexion. High carat yellow gold jewelry looks divine on you, but so do most other metal tones. Choose pieces that suit your mood or mix and match metal tones. For some truly unique metal mixing, check out pieces by Spinelli Kilcollin. (Pro tip: you can find some pretty good deals for Spinelli Kilcollin on the secondary market, but their pieces have a decent resale value and I reviewed their most iconic design here).
FAIR TO MEDIUM WITH PALE UNDERTONES (NEUTRAL)
Your subtle, dewy hue looks beautiful in lower carat gold tones. I suggest choosing jewelry made from 10K & 14K yellow and rose gold. This is because lower carat gold tends to be softer and less saturated than 18K-24K alloys. Softer gold hues match your skin's level of color for a seamless look. For fabulous pieces in 10K & 14K gold, look to Hirotaka and Mizuki, respectively. (Pro tip: both brands are available on the secondary market, but their prices are reasonable for retail fine jewelry).
FAIR TO MEDIUM ROSY WITH RED UNDERTONES (COOL)
Your cheeks have a youthful rosy blush. Your skin is classified as cool, and silver looks fresh on you. Opt for white gold and platinum if you are seeking fine jewelry, because they will enhance the natural coolness of your skin. Tiffany & Co. makes some of the most iconic sterling silver pieces. (Pro tip: Tiffany & Co. is having a moment of brand resurgence. They have recently partnered with everyone from Beyoncé to Hailey Bieber. For iconic and affordable pieces that retain their value, choose pieces from the Return to Tiffany collection).
DARK (ALL UNDERTONES)
Lucky you – with your gorgeous bold complexion, any metal tone looks striking on you. In your case, what matters more than undertone pairing is contrast. Rich high carat gold hues and bright platinum shine extra bright on melanin rich skin. Avoid gunmetal and black rhodium plating, as they can get lost on your complexion. Since you look radiant in bold colors, check out Mercedes Salazar, whose pieces pair colorful ornaments with gold toned metal. For fine jewelry, no one does platinum with quite as much timelessness as Harry Winston. (Pro tip: if you are going to splurge on Harry Winston, I suggest purchasing it on the secondary market, as the iconic brand does not retain its resale value).
BRONZE (WARM)
Your warm bronze complexion is accentuated beautifully with traditional high carat jewelry. The higher the carat the richer the gold color. I especially like 22K & 24K yellow gold on your skin tone. Rose gold also softens your look. Anita Ko offers a selection of modern rose gold classics with a contemporary twist. (Pro tip: her pieces retain their value on the secondary market and are coveted among L.A. cool girls).
