Gold or silver jewellery: how to choose the one that suits you

Faced with two versions of the same piece, one gold and one silver, hesitation is common. Both are beautiful; the real question is which one will suit your skin, your wardrobe and the jewellery you already wear. The good news: there is no absolute rule, only a few pointers to help you choose with confidence.

At Éclat d'océan, several designs come in both finishes, on a stainless steel setting. This is the case for the Celestún necklace and its gold Celestún version, or the Corallia pendant, set with a silver or gold coral branch.

Gold or silver: what does your skin tone say?

The best-known pointer is the undertone of your skin, meaning the shade you can sense beneath its surface colour. It does not depend on how light or dark your complexion is: very fair skin and deep skin alike can have a warm, cool or neutral undertone.

Three simple tests to try at home

• The veins on your wrist: in daylight, if they look rather green, your undertone is probably warm; if they look blue or purple, it is probably cool; if it is hard to tell, it is likely neutral.
• Pure white and off-white: hold a pure white fabric near your face, then a cream one. If pure white brightens you, your undertone is rather cool; if cream flatters you more, it is rather warm.
• The sun: skin that tans easily often has a warm undertone; skin that burns before it tans tends towards a cool undertone.

What this means for your jewellery

Warm undertones naturally suit gold, which warms the complexion. Cool undertones are enhanced by silver, brighter and fresher. Neutral undertones are lucky enough to wear both. These pointers are tendencies, not prohibitions: if you love a gold piece on a cool undertone, wear it. The best test is still the mirror, in daylight.

Matching the metal to your outfits

Your clothes matter as much as your skin. A piece of jewellery is always seen against a background, and that background is often a collar, a sleeve or a strap.

• Silver goes beautifully with cool colours: grey, navy, black, bright white, sky blue, lavender, as well as denim.
• Gold loves warm, natural colours: beige, camel, khaki, olive green, terracotta, rust, ecru.
• White, black and navy welcome both, with a different effect: more graphic with silver, warmer with gold.

Think about the mood, too. A linen dress and sandals call for the Sable d'or earrings, gold hoops with green sea glass. A white shirt and raw denim get on well with their cousins, the Sable d'argent earrings. Same design, same glass, two different moods.

Taking the jewellery you already wear into account

Look at your hands and wrists: a wedding ring, a watch, a family ring often set the tone. If you wear them every day, choosing the same shade for your new jewellery creates instant, effortless harmony.

Can you mix gold and silver?

Yes, and it has even become a confident choice. To make the mix look intentional rather than accidental, a few tips help:

• repeat each metal at least twice in your outfit, rather than wearing a single isolated piece;
• group your jewellery by area, for example silver on the wrist and gold at the neck;
• keep a common thread, such as the same sea glass colour on every piece.

The green of sea glass makes an excellent link. You will find it on the Lérins multi-strand necklace, three gold strands, as well as on the Atoll earrings, silver hoops: worn together, they echo each other without a false note.

And sea glass: which colour with which metal?

The shade of the glass matters too. With no strict rule, here are a few pairings that work well:

• moss green, the shade most present in our collection, goes as well with gold as with silver;
• frosted white and clear glass look luminous on silver, softer on gold;
• lagoon blue stands out with freshness on a silver setting;
• caramel brown comes into its own on a gold setting, in warm tones.

To learn more about these shades and where they come from, read our article on sea glass shaped by the waves.

Frequently asked questions

Does gold suit fair skin?

Yes, if your undertone is warm or neutral. How fair your skin is matters less than its underlying shade: fair skin with golden or peachy hints is often enhanced by gold jewellery. If your fair skin has rosy hints, silver will probably be more flattering, but your personal preference remains the best guide.

Which finish should I choose for a gift?

Look at the jewellery the person already wears: their watch, their earrings, a ring they never take off. These often reveal their preference. If in doubt, a simple design with versatile moss green sea glass is a safe choice. Our advice on giving handmade jewellery can also help you.

Does a gold finish need more care?

As a general rule, a gold finish calls for a little more gentleness: avoid friction, abrasive products and contact with perfume and creams. Nothing complicated, though. All the right habits are gathered in our article on caring for gold jewellery every day and keeping its shine.

Where can I see both versions side by side?

In our shop, several designs come in both a gold and a silver version, such as the Corallia pendant or the Celestún necklace. Each product page states the finish of the piece. For a specific question about a piece, our customer service will gladly reply through the contact form.