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CANVASES, CARATS AND CURIOSITIES

A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Precious Metals in Jewelry

Discover how to select the ideal jewelry for your skin tone with this guide. Learn about skin undertones, precious metals like platinum and rose gold, and jewelry colors that complement warm, cool and neutral skin tones.

Understanding the Impact of Jewelry on Your Overall Look

In the realm of fashion and personal style, jewelry carries the power to transform any outfit from ordinary to extraordinary. The delicate twinkle of a necklace, the bold statement of a ring or the subtle shimmer of a refined pair of earrings can all elevate any basic look into a captivating and unique ensemble.
 
Beyond just adding a bit of whimsy or panache to an outfit, jewelry also plays a pivotal role in enhancing your overall appearance. Read on to discover how different jewelry metals complement various skin undertones, bringing out the radiance within.
 
Famous “friend” Jennifer Aniston complemented her golden locks and sun-kissed skin with an Amrit yellow gold jewelry chain on the red carpet. Interested in learning more about styling yourself with jewelry? Check out our blog.
 
Famous “friend” Jennifer Aniston complemented her golden locks and sun-kissed skin with an Amrit yellow gold jewelry chain on the red carpet. Interested in learning more about styling yourself with jewelry? Check out our 6 jewelry styling tips for women.
 

Decoding Skin Undertones: Identifying Your Perfect Match

Understanding the concept of skin undertones is crucial to choosing your ideal jewelry metal. The skin's undertone is different from the surface color that is most apparent to the naked eye. Skin undertone is the subtle hue that lies beneath the surface, adding a unique radiance and glow to each person's appearance. Skin undertone is categorized into three main groups: warm, cool, and neutral.
 
A quick way to determine your undertone is to look at the veins on your wrist. You likely have cool undertones if your veins appear more blue-hued, while greenish veins signify warm undertones.
 

If it's challenging to discern, you might have neutral undertones. People with cooler undertones may notice pinkish or rosy-red skin tone when looking in the mirror. People with warmer undertones may see yellow or golden-apricot skin tone when looking in the mirror.

 
Gold Sun Earrings By Kieselstein-Cord | M.S. Rau
 
Gold Sun Earrings By Kieselstein-Cord | M.S. Rau
 

When determining the best jewelry color for skin tone, the key is to look just below the surface at the skin’s undertone. From there, one can determine which precious metals to select for their jewelry.

 

Warm Skin Tones: Enhancing Radiance with Gold Jewelry

 
Kim Kardashian traded elaborate diamonds for a series of hammered gold necklaces in this red carpet look, bringing out the radiance of her golden tanned skin.
 
Kim Kardashian traded elaborate diamonds for a series of hammered gold necklaces in this red carpet look, bringing out the radiance of her golden tanned skin.
 
If your skin leans towards warm undertones, you are likely to gravitate toward gold jewelry— and for good reason! Gold's innate warmth harmonizes perfectly with your skin's undertone, creating a symphony of radiance.
 
The rich warm tones of yellow gold and rose gold effortlessly complement the skin, making it appear even more luminous. Warm skin tones are well matched with yellow gold, but also look fabulous when dressed with less typical jewelry metals, such as copper and brass. These precious metals infuse a sense of vitality into your overall look, drawing attention to your natural glow.
 
People who tan easily love to accentuate their golden glow with jewels that match. Whether it's a dainty antique necklace or chunky bracelets, gold jewelry is your ultimate go-to for enhancing your warmth.
 
Gold Tassel Necklace By Tiffany & Co. | M.S. Rau
 
Gold Tassel Necklace By Tiffany & Co. | M.S. Rau
 

Cool Skin Tones: Embracing Elegance with Silver and White Gold Jewelry

The beautiful rosy hues of skin with cool undertones are elegantly accentuated by silver, platinum and white gold jewelry. The coolness of these precious metals creates a stunning contrast that highlights blushing vitality and natural beauty. Brilliant cool-toned silver and the sophisticated allure of white gold provide a refined touch to your appearance. Be it delicate studs or a statement necklace, silver-colored metals effortlessly elevate your cool undertones, exuding an air of poise and sophistication.

 
Florence Pugh donned a brilliant cool-toned diamond Louis Vuitton necklace for the 2020 Oscars. The platinum-set necklace enhanced her rosy features, which are further emphasized by the necklace’s striking 21.0-carat Imperial Topaz.
 
Florence Pugh donned a brilliant cool-toned diamond Louis Vuitton necklace for the 2020 Oscars. The platinum-set necklace enhanced her rosy features, which are further emphasized by the necklace’s striking 21.0-carat Imperial Topaz.
 

Celebrities and casual jewelry wearers alike with cool undertones look best wearing pieces crafted of platinum and white gold. Beyond precious metal types, jewels like pearls, Blue Sapphire, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Ruby, Emerald, Opal, Pariaba Tourmaline, Tanzanite and Zircon look excellent on people with cool undertones.

 
Sterling Silver Miao Ceremonial Necklace | M.S. Rau
 
Sterling Silver Miao Ceremonial Necklace | M.S. Rau
 

Artisans have long crafted incredible antique jewelry in a myriad of hues. When selecting your necklace or earrings for the evening, antique jewelry always makes a lasting impression.

 

Neutral Undertones:

 
Morganite Ring, 3.87 Carats | M.S. Rau
 
Morganite Ring, 3.87 Carats | M.S. Rau
 
People with neutral undertones can be more versatile when selecting their signature jewelry metal. Usually, people with darker skin tones have more melanin in their skin that neutralizes obvious undertones.
 
Deeper complexions possess an inherent richness that interacts beautifully with a plethora of various jewelry metals. The brilliant hues of gemstones also beautifully complement the radiant depth of highly pigmented skin.
 
When it comes to selecting a complementary jewelry metal color, gold, silver and rose gold colored metals each make a beautiful statement and can bring out the sunny warmth or rosy vitality of one's skin color. For those with neutral undertones, jewelry not only complements but also mirrors the captivating depth of your complexion.
 
Tony winner Cynthia Erivo dazzles in a plethora of silver-toned jewels on the red carpet.
 
Tony winner Cynthia Erivo dazzles in a plethora of silver-toned jewels on the red carpet.
 

The Versatility of Precious Metals

 
French Owl Ring By Paul Robin | M.S. Rau
 
French Owl Ring By Paul Robin | M.S. Rau
 

Whether it's a contemporary piece or an antique treasure, luxury jewelers have been experimenting with different colored metals for centuries. Consider adding different shades to your collection of antique jewelry.

 

When it comes to choosing the right jewelry metal color that works best for your complexion, the undertone test is a great jumping-off point. That being said, it should never limit what you pick.

 

More and more people are thinking outside the box and selecting jewels that they simply love — wearing a piece that speaks to you will always produce a radiance from within, no matter what your undertones say. Additionally, the rising popularity of mixed metal jewelry allows you to blend different precious metals, creating a personalized and modern statement.

 
Tiffany & Co. Woven Gold Bracelet | M.S. Rau
 
Tiffany & Co. Woven Gold Bracelet | M.S. Rau
 

Jewelry goes beyond being a simple accessory — it's a reflection of your style and personality. Today, more and more people are experimenting with new jewelry styles and adding new metals into their jewelry repertoire — in fact, more men than ever are sporting jewelry in both dressy and casual looks.

 

The choice of metal can significantly impact your overall look, enhancing your natural beauty and radiance. Understanding your skin undertones and experimenting with different jewelry metals empowers you to curate stunning ensembles that truly resonate with your uniqueness. What matters most is that you feel confident when selecting your jewelry for the day and look back in the mirror with pride!

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