Not sure whether gold or silver jewellery suits you best? Confused about 'rules' for mixing metals when wearing jewellery? We’re here to help! Whether you’re choosing gold jewellery or sterling silver jewellery, this guide will help you make the best choice of what jewellery colour to wear for your own sense of style, skin tone and wardrobe.
Choosing between yellow gold and silver jewellery is a common dilemma, but we want to make easier for you - and we're going to break some outdated fashion rules while we're at it!
Whether you're shopping for yourself or buying a jewellery gift, this guide will help you decide whether you should choose gold or silver when it comes to jewellery. Or even whether you can (and should!) choose both.
If you're looking to add to your own collection of gold or silver jewellery, be sure to check out our unique Australian made jewellery, which extensively features both metals. For inspiration, check out our most popular women's jewellery designs.
So should you be wearing silver or gold jewellery? Let's dive in and find out ...
Gold vs Silver Jewellery: What's the Difference?
Gold and silver are both quality precious metals. So how do they differ? Here's a quick overview:
- Appearance: Yellow gold jewellery has a warm, luxurious glow, while silver is cool-toned and sparkly.
- Durability & Price: Solid gold is much more expensive but is resistant to tarnish, while silver is more affordable but requires occasional polishing.
- Versatility: Silver can work well for casual and modern styles, while gold can suit classic and elegant looks. But with the right jewellery worn in the right way, these roles can be reversed.
White Gold or Silver Jewellery?
White gold is a different metal to silver, although it has a similar colour. It's an alloy made with regular yellow gold mixed with white metals to change its colour.
In reality, white gold is more of a warm grey than you'll see in mainstream jewellery stores, where it's plated with rhodium to make it a more appealing colour. The plating will wear through over time, so it's not always a great choice. We don't make any designs in white gold for this reason.
We suggest you choose silver by preference for a white metal (or platinum if you can afford it!).
Should You Wear Gold or Silver? (How to Choose)
1. Matching Jewellery to Your Skin Tone
Which colour of metal jewellery to wear was traditionally decided by people's skin colouring (warm vs cool or even dark vs light).
These days that can be considered a bit of a retro view and you can break such 'fashion rules' as you see fit. However, you might still like to use them as a guide to help get started figuring out what suits you and your sense of style.
So here's the lowdown:
- Cool skin tones (blue veins, fair skin, burns easily) → May look best in silver.
- Warm skin tones (green veins, olive/tan skin, tans well) → May look best in gold.
- Neutral & darker skin tones → Can usually wear both gold and silver equally well.
But remember: these are just guidelines! The best jewellery for you is what makes you look and feel good. Try on both metal colours, including at the same time, and see how they look on you.
We recommend taking time to experiment and figure out what works for you and how to make the most of your wardrobe. Check out 15 Jewellery Style Tips for some great ideas.
2. Matching Jewellery to Your Wardrobe & Style
Silver is great to add some neutral sparkle to brightly coloured outfits, so it's eye-catching without clashing or distracting.
Silver also works beautifully with black or white outfits. Wearing lots of silver jewellery with a white shirt can look amazing, for instance.
Earthy tones, such as reds, yellows, oranges, and warm neutrals, can work beautifully with gold. However, gold also looks great with blues, which complement the yellow colouring of gold. Wearing navy blue with gold is a particularly classic look.
For a modern or minimalist look, silver can be a good choice. For a classic, luxurious, or vintage style, gold may be more suitable.
But, again, always keep in mind that these are guidelines. You should experiment and see what works for you. If it looks good and feels comfortable, then you're on a winner!
Can You Wear Gold & Silver Jewellery Together?
Absolutely! Once upon a time, wearing gold and silver together was seen as a 'fashion crime', however, mixing metals is now quite common in styling. This is another outdated fashion rule you can very safely ignore.
By combining both silver and gold in your outfits you can create a more personalised look and add more interest to your jewellery. And you get to show off more of your favourite jewellery pieces!
In our Jewellery Shop Australia we have a lot of designs that combine sterling silver with gold highlights - it's one of jewellery designer Simone Walsh's favourite things to do. Our mixed gold and silver designs are some of our most loved pieces. They are also a more affordable way to add some real solid gold to your jewellery collection.
Related reads:
How to Mix Gold & Silver Jewellery Like a Pro
Here are some tips on wearing both gold and silver jewellery at the same time and making it look great:
- Pick a dominant metal and use the other as an accent.
- Or have a balance of colours allowing them to make a visual blend.
- Layer necklaces or stack rings that combine both gold and silver.
- Balance your metals across your look – don’t overload one side, or top vs bottom.
Once again, experimenting in front of a mirror is a great way to see what works for you, your wardrobe and your jewellery collection.
Should You Choose Gold or Silver for a Gift?
In part, this depends on the relationship and occasion. Solid gold jewellery makes a truly special gift that the recipient will treasure. This is quality jewellery to be loved.
However, sterling silver jewellery also makes a great gift, even though it may not be as luxurious. It's still a precious metal and will most certainly be appreciated.
In terms of choosing a metal colour for a gift, pay attention to what jewellery your gift recipient most commonly wears as this will be a major clue. Quite a few people choose to solely wear either gold or silver jewellery. Also think about what colour clothing the person often wears and how different metal colours will work with their outfits.
Check out our guide to How to Choose Gifts for Women for some great tips to help with gifting jewellery.
(Reading this on a website that isn't simonewalsh.com? Be aware that the content has been stolen, infringing the copyright of a small business. ABN: 65108844126)
Find Your Perfect Silver or Gold Jewellery Pieces
At Simone Walsh Jewellery, we create both sterling silver jewellery and gold jewellery in unique designs that aren't available anywhere else. We have sparkling sterling silver rings, glamorous solid gold rings, eye-catching sterling silver necklaces - and much more besides.
Shop these popular collections:
More about precious metals
To help you choose more carefully, learn more about the qualities, pros and cons of different types of metals:
More reading:
Here are some related articles from other sources that you might benefit from:
- Outdated Fashion Rules to Avoid
- Fashion Rules You Should Never Follow
- Since When is Mixing Metals a Thing?
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