Many women wear jewelry, with some choosing modest jewelry and others preferring expensive jewels. However, not all of them are able to emphasize their individuality with jewelry, maintain harmony of style and select accessories according to the circumstances.
Jewelry-wearing etiquette is a set of rules and guidelines that help you look stylish and harmonious.
Rule 1 A sense of moderation
The basic rule of jewelry-wearing etiquette is moderation. Even if you own elegant earrings with large diamonds, a ring with a rare sapphire and a striking gold necklace, you should not wear them all at once. Recipients, instead of seeing the value of the jewels owned, will only notice the lack of taste and vanity.
Jewelry should harmonize with the rest of the outfit and match the intended image.
Rule 2 – Jewelry wearing zones
The principle of jewelry zones will help avoid exaggeration and properly select accessories for different occasions. There are three basic zones: face, neck and hands. Other areas, such as navel piercings and leg bracelets, are treated as accessories.
- In business style, one or two zones should be used, not all at once. For example, delicate earrings and a thin ring on the hand are appropriate.
- Jewelry etiquette recommends avoiding mixing different types of jewelry in one zone. For example, a brooch does not go well with a pearl necklace, while using several chains of different lengths is currently fashionable.
Rule 3: Match the figure, age and circumstances
Jewelry should be matched to your figure, beauty type, age and lifestyle:
- As a general rule, larger women can wear massive jewelry, while younger, slender women should choose more delicate jewelry, such as thin rings or earrings. Women with medium body shapes should choose jewelry of classic sizes.
- Younger people should not wear expensive materials or large stones. Impressive looks can be achieved with original designs and bold compositions. Miniature diamonds in earrings or thin rings are appropriate. Sapphires, rubies, emeralds and large diamonds are more suitable for older women.
- Women with long necks can wear long earrings, as long as the hair is smoothed. Loose hair goes well with flower or star-shaped earrings.
- Older women should avoid cheap, flashy jewelry and choose accessories made of gold or platinum, decorated with precious or semi-precious stones.
Rule 4 – Color harmony
Care should be taken to ensure color harmony between clothing, metal and jewelry stones:
- Diamonds, pearls and gold are universal and match any color of clothing.
- Necklaces should only be worn with deep necklines and must match the color of the skin near the neckline.
- Pendants should be worn under uniform clothing without intricate cut elements in the neckline area.
Rule 5 – Moderation in the selection of stones
Gold is not combined with artificial jewelry, and cheap stones do not match expensive jewelry with precious stones. Each piece can be valuable on its own, but a luxurious emerald or intense sapphire can highlight the simplicity of agates, or rock crystal. However, a striking composition, for example, of emeralds and zirconia, can be very successful.
Bracelets with stones should adhere to the hand, and only accessories without stones can be worn freely, usually on the right hand, since the left hand is usually occupied with a watch.
Do not wear a watch and a bracelet on the same hand.
Rule 6: Diamonds for everyone
Diamonds can be worn by everyone, but it is important to follow the rules regarding size and number of stones:
- Young girls and women under 30 should choose small stones in earrings or rings.
- Women over 35 can afford larger stones and richly decorated accessories.
Contrary to popular belief, diamonds can be worn not only in the evening. In everyday situations, it is worth choosing subtle jewelry with one small stone.
Rule 7: Jewelry for men
Jewelry etiquette for men is less demanding, mainly because of the limited range of men’s jewelry and its uses.
Typical men’s accessories include an engagement or wedding ring (on the ring finger), a necklace, a bracelet on one hand or a watch.
Debates about a miniature diamond earring in a man’s ear are still ongoing and are decided on a case-by-case basis.
Outdated rules of jewelry etiquette
Current fashion, including jewelry fashion, is characterized by tolerance and great flexibility. In the past, it was not recommended to wear several rings on one finger, and different metals were combined. Today, however, it is increasingly common to see several rings, often up to three on one finger, with different styles on thin, long fingers of women.
The ban on combining different metals, such as gold and silver, is also outdated. Contemporary jewelry designs often combine different metals, such as red, rose or white gold. You can wear different types of jewelry made of different metals, as long as they harmonize stylistically.
Jewelry combining different metals is now fashionable and stylish.
It is impossible to overlook the old, very popular jewelry sets. In the past, it was stylish to wear earrings, a necklace, a ring and sometimes a bracelet and a brooch at the same time. Nowadays, such sets should be approached with great caution.
For evening outings, you can wear three pieces of jewelry (for example, earrings, a pendant and a ring). For everyday wear, it is recommended to limit to a ring with earrings or a necklace and a bracelet.