MIXING METALS

Once upon a time, the idea of wearing gold and silver jewelry simultaneously was considered a fashion faux pas. You were either a gold maven with occasional and separate forays into silver, or a total cheerleader for silver with a few gold pieces here and there. We are happy to report that those style rules are outdated and over! In fact, mixing metals is an eclectic and interesting way to personalize your jewelry style. We don’t believe in hard and fast rules regarding styling jewelry, but if you are new to mixing metals, we have set forth a few guidelines that you may want to consider when wearing gold with silver!

1. PICK YOUR SPOTS

We typically wear jewelry on our ears, neck, wrists and fingers. While some may wear jewelry on all four spots simultaneously, we think it’s best to pick two — no more than three — areas to wear jewelry at the same time. Mix your metals in those spots. For example, a ring stack that includes gold and silver paired with a mixed metal stack of ear cuffs looks coordinated and elegant. Wearing jewelry on all four areas simultaneously, especially if you are mixing metals, may result in an “overwrought jewelry magpie” look.

Palak is wearing our Triple Barrel Ring Polished in solid 22 karat gold, a ring stack comprised of our Pyramid Band Narrow Silver and our 22 karat gold Pyramid Band Narrow, as well as our Double Moon Ear Cuff in 22 karat gold and our Double Moon Ear Cuff Silver.

2. MASTER THE BALANCING ACT

Once you have picked the areas on which you wish to wear jewelry, the next step is balancing the mix. Achieving the right balance means mixing metals in more than one area. If you wear a pile of silver necklaces and a stack of gold rings, you are wearing two metals at once but you aren’t mixing metals. The overall look will be unbalanced and the spirit of the mix will be lost.

3. STACK AND LAYER

So how do we fix an unbalanced mix? Interaction between gold and silver is key and the best way to do this is to stack and layer. In other words, you have to really mix things up. The best way to do this is to choose items that, but for the metal, go together in terms of form and volume. In other words, pair pieces that share similar traits or motifs.

Taras is wearing our Double Link Bracelet Heavy in solid 22 karat gold, Double Link Bracelet Heavy / Silver, Long Link Bracelet Silver, as well as our Double Link Bracelet Light Silver.

4. WEIGHT ADDS CONTRAST

While it is important to achieve balance and metal interaction and to choose pieces that are visually similar, the key to a truly noteworthy metal mix is contrast. While gold and silver offer contrasting colors, weight adds another level of interest. A chunky silver ring stacked between two thinner gold bands is an example of using weight to create visual interest

Palak is wearing our Stud Band Silver, and our Pyramid Band Wide / Silver stacked between two of our Pyramid Band Narrow handcrafted from solid 22 karat gold.

5. A FOCAL POINT

Another approach to mixing metals is to start with a focal point. This could be a wristwatch or a chunky necklace that is gold, stainless steel or mixed metal. The details of the item of jewelry that is the focal point will guide the choice of jewelry to follow. For example, if you have chosen a mixed metal watch or bracelet, then consider pairing those pieces with a heavy gold chain link bracelet and a thinner silver bangle.

6. THOUGHTFUL RATIOS

Mixing metals is an endeavor that takes a little bit of care and thought. Wearing 99% gold chains and rings with a random silver piece stuck in between will read as a mistake or a bit of forgetfulness. Some say a 50/50 split between gold and silver is the key. We think that anywhere from a 50/50 to 60/40 ratio of silver and gold looks great. Just be intentional with your ratios and enjoy the mix.

Palak is wearing our Double Link Necklace Heavy / Silver, Double Link Necklace Heavy in solid 22 karat gold, our best-selling Triple Barrel Ring Polished in solid 22 karat gold, a ring stack comprised of our Pyramid Band Narrow Silver and our 22 karat gold Pyramid Band Narrow, as well as our Double Moon Ear Cuff in 22 karat gold and our Double Moon Ear Cuff Silver.

7. PLAY WITH TEXTURE

Incorporating different textures can enhance the effect of mixed metals. Pairing a polished sterling silver band with a 24k hammered gold ring adds some flair and visual interest. Another way to incorporate texture is by wearing smooth bangles with chunky link bracelets, or combining diamond studded rings with polished or satin finished bands.

Palak is wearing a ring stack comprising our Pyramid Band Narrow Silver and our 22 karat gold Pyramid Band Narrow. She is also wearing our Hoop Earrings Mini Silver along with our Hoop Earrings Mini in solid 22 karat gold, as well as our Praying Mantis Diamond Ring Wide.

8. MODERATION IN THE MIX

Adhering to jewelry rules can be a bore and we love to see jewelry maximalists go wild with their gold and silver. But what the jewelry maximalists rarely share is that there is a method to their jewelry madness and moderation in their mix. This gets us back to our first and second guidelines — pick a couple of areas to adorn and approach those areas with an eye toward balance! Then take a step back and evaluate your whole look. If your jewelry, when combined with other accessories, makes your outfit seem unwieldy and overdone, then pare back some of your pieces.