How to shop jewellery by skin tone

Posted on: 04/12/2024

Unsure how to choose jewellery that complements your skin tone? You might be conflicted between gold and silver or want to embrace the mixed metal jewellery trend but feel hesitant about whether it will suit you. To help you, we’ve compiled a guide for finding the metals and gemstones that look best on you. Along the way, we’ll explore colour analysis and explain how it ties everything together.

Once you know how to shop for jewellery that suits different skin tones, you'll be all set to choose jewellery gifts or find beautiful additions to your collection.

Identifying skin tones

Start by identifying your skin tone. This can be done in several ways:

• Vein test: If the veins on your wrist appear green, this indicates warmer undertones, while blue or purple veins indicate cool undertones. If it isn't clear, you're likely to be neutral.
• Hold jewellery against skin: Simply holding gold or silver jewellery against your skin can help you work out which is more flattering. Typically, gold suits those with warm undertones while silver suits those with cool undertones.
• Hold a white t-shirt to your face: When you hold the t-shirt against your face, check to see whether your face is rosy or yellow in natural light.
• Use colour analysis tools: Whether you book an appointment with a colour analysis expert or use online tools, you can use these trending tactics to work out your skin tone.

Understanding your own and others' skin tones will help you make smarter choices when shopping for jewellery.

Understanding natural palettes

Colour analysis and awareness of the best palette for your complexion are all the rage, helping shoppers make more thoughtful choices when purchasing new fashion and jewellery pieces.

Broadly speaking, there are four main colour palettes to be aware of:

• Spring: Warm undertones, typically with blonde hair and green or hazel eyes.
• Summer: Cool undertones, typically with ash or mouse-brown hair and cool grey or brown eyes.
• Autumn: Peachy skin, typically with red or gold hair notes and brown or green eyes.
• Winter: Pink or blue undertones, typically with dark hair and striking eyes.

While it's easy to be swayed by skin colour, it's important to remember that identifying the correct season is all about undertones, contrast and harmonising colours that work naturally with your features. This way, you can find palettes that flatter individual features and skin tones.

You could get a professional colour analysis or do your own research and test out which colours work for your skin tone. This will help you determine your season and identify the best metals for your jewellery.

Matching with metals

Once you have your palette and skin tone confirmed, it's time to seek out the right metals. Here are some pointers to help you get started.

• Spring: Bright gold is preferable, but you can also wear silver. This means the mixed metal jewellery trend is made for you.
• Summer: Platinum, silver, white gold and rose gold are ideal for your palette, however you should avoid yellow gold.
• Autumn: You suit rich metal tones such as yellow gold or antique gold. Copper is also a good option if you fit this palette.
• Winter: You can embrace bright white or dark metals, such as platinum, titanium or tungsten.

Choosing coloured gemstones

When incorporating colour, ensure this coordinates with your palette.

Generally, warm palettes suit earthy gemstones such as orange-red garnets, topaz, agate and turquoise. Browns, golds, warm reds and sunny yellows naturally complement warm palettes and skin tones.

Meanwhile, cooler palettes are associated with bold reds, blues and greens, so think rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Pink diamonds are also a great choice for anyone with a cool palette. This is because they're likely to have undertones of lavender and faint blues or greens, which align with a cooler palette. These colours should ideally be paired with silver-coloured metals.

Some options suit both warm and cool palettes. Examples include white diamonds, opals and pearls. These can be matched with all metal types, making them a versatile option, even when wearing mixed metal jewellery.

Visit F.Hinds

Whether you're looking for jewellery gifts or something special for yourself, understanding how different pieces match certain skin tones can help you make more informed purchases. Start by browsing our selection online or get more information and try pieces on in person at one of our stores.

As members of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), we ensure our jewellery meets strict social and ethical standards across our supply chain.