How to Choose Jewellery According to Skin Tone

Choosing jewellery that brings out your natural glow can boost your confidence and elevate every outfit. By understanding how different metals and gemstones interact with your skin’s unique hues, you’ll make selections that look effortless and feel right. As a Melbourne jeweller with years of experience helping clients find pieces that suit their colouring, I’ll guide you through identifying your undertone and selecting the designs that celebrate your features.

Key Takeaways

• Identify whether your undertone is warm, cool or neutral using simple at-home tests.
• Match metals to undertones: yellow gold for warm tones, silver and white gold for cool, and mixed metals for neutral.
• Choose gemstones that enhance your colouring: think citrine and amber for warm, sapphire and emerald for cool, and morganite or opal for neutral.
• Layer different finishes with confidence and consider hair and eye colour for a polished look.
• Test pieces in natural light, ask questions during consultations, and check return policies when shopping.
• Keep jewellery pristine by following metal-specific cleaning methods and storing pieces to prevent tarnish and scratches.

   

Understanding Your Skin’s Undertone

What Are Undertones?

Your skin’s undertone is the subtle hint of colour beneath its surface. While your visible shade might range from fair to deep, the undertone remains consistent throughout your life. Knowing this helps you pick metals and gemstones that sit in harmony with your complexion.

The Three Main Undertones

• Warm: Skin that shows golden, peachy or yellow hints.

   

• Cool: Skin with pink, red or blue notes.

   

• Neutral: A balanced mix of both warm and cool hints.

   

Simple Tests to Determine Your Undertone

1. Vein-Colour Test: Look at the veins on your wrist under natural light. Greenish veins suggest a warm undertone; bluish or purple veins indicate a cool undertone. If you see both, you likely have a neutral tone.

    

2. White-Paper Test: Hold a sheet of white paper next to your face. Skin that looks yellowish against the paper is warm; skin with a rosy cast is cool. A neutral tone won’t lean noticeably either way.

    

3. Jewellery-Swap Test: Try on a silver piece, then a gold piece. If gold makes you glow and silver appears dull, you’re warm-toned. Reverse that? You’re cool. If both look equally good, you have a neutral undertone.

    

Selecting the Perfect Metal

Metals for Warm Undertones

Yellow gold and rose gold pick up on golden hints in warm-toned skin. These metals highlight warm undertones and create a sun-lit effect. Copper-accented pieces also pair nicely, adding depth without overwhelming your colouring.

Metals for Cool Undertones

Silver, platinum and white gold reflect cool tones and add a crisp contrast. These bright-coloured metals bring out rosy or blue undertones, giving your skin a fresh, radiant appearance.

Metals for Neutral Undertones

If you have a neutral undertone, you can wear mixed-metal designs, gunmetal or titanium. These options adapt to shifts in your wardrobe and hair colour, offering flexibility and a harmonious finish.

Choosing Gemstone Colours

Gemstones for Warm Skin Tones

Citrine, peridot, amber and yellow sapphire complement warm tones by echoing golden or peach hues. These colours enhance your warmth and create a cohesive look that feels lively and inviting.

Gemstones for Cool Skin Tones

Sapphire, amethyst, emerald and aquamarine work beautifully on cool-toned skin. Their blue, green or purple hues highlight cooler undertones and deliver a crisp, elegant contrast.

Gemstones for Neutral Skin Tones

Morganite, moonstone, opal and pearl flatter neutral undertones. Their versatile colour shifts play well with both warm and cool hints, making them a safe choice if your undertone falls in between.

Styling Tips & Versatility

Mixing and Layering Metals

Combine metals by choosing pieces that share a similar finish or texture. For example, layer a hammered silver chain with a polished white gold pendant. Keep shapes or motifs consistent—like geometric links—to maintain cohesion.

Matching Jewellery with Hair & Eye Colour

Consider how your hair and eyes relate to your undertone. Warm-toned people often have green, hazel or light brown eyes; a citrine pendant can bring out those shades. Cool undertones frequently pair with blue or grey eyes, where sapphire earrings will feel at home.

Day-to-Night Transition

Start with a minimalist look for daytime—think simple studs or a delicate chain. For evening, add statement pieces like chandelier earrings or a bold cuff. Choose stackable styles so you can upgrade your design with ease.

Practical Shopping Advice

Try-On Tips

Always check pieces in natural light to see true colour interactions with your skin. Move around in front of a window or step outside to ensure the jewellery flatters you in everyday settings.

Working with a Jeweller

Bring photos of styles you like and describe what drew you to them. A jeweller can guide you to similar options that suit your undertone and budget, and may suggest custom options if you want a special touch.

Return & Exchange Policies

Review policies before purchasing, especially online. Look for sellers that offer free returns or exchanges within a fair window—this gives you peace of mind if a piece doesn’t suit you as expected.

Caring for Your Chosen Pieces

Cleaning & Maintenance by Metal Type

• Gold (yellow, rose, white): Use a mild, phosphate-free soap and warm water. Gently brush with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry.

   

• Silver: Polish with a soft cloth and a silver-safe cleaner to remove tarnish. Store in an anti-tarnish pouch between wears.

   

• Platinum & Titanium: Wipe with a damp cloth and mild detergent, then dry thoroughly.

   

Storage Tips

Store each piece separately in a lined box or pouch to prevent scratches. Hang necklaces to avoid tangles and keep earrings paired together, perhaps on a dedicated earring card.

Final Thoughts

This guide walked you through identifying your skin’s undertone, matching metals and gemstones to that tone, styling tips for layering and day-to-night looks, smart shopping strategies and care routines. By following these steps, you’ll make selections that feel comfortable, look harmonious and highlight your natural glow.

Ready to Discover Your Ideal Jewellery?

Book a personalised styling session at our Forest Hill store to find pieces that complement your skin tone perfectly. Whether you prefer a classic gold finish or a colourful gemstone, our expert team will help you select designs you’ll cherish for years. Contact us today to reserve your consultation and start wearing jewellery that truly suits you.