Gold or Silver? How to Pick the Right Metal For Your Skin Tone (2024)

When we buy jewelry, it’s usually a choice between silver or gold pieces. Jewelry is a necessary addition to both casual and elegant outfits, and a wardrobe just isn’t complete without some beautiful jewelry pieces.


The age-old question has always been:
is silver or gold jewelry more popular? However, popularity shouldn’t even be a factor when you’re treating yourself to a new necklace. The truth is, it’s more important to buy a piece of jewelry in a metal that suits your skin tone.


If you’re wondering whether it’s better to wear
silver or gold jewelry for dark skin or what looks best with pale complexions, we’re here to answer your questions. No longer will you wear jewelry that looks dull and lackluster against your skin!

How to Determine Your Skin’s Undertones

So, what’s the difference between a silver vs. gold jewelry skin tone? It all depends on the skin’s undertone! Your skin’s undertone is the tint beneath your skin. There are two main types of undertone: cool vs. warm. However, your undertone can also be neutral.


To find out whether you have a cool or warm undertone, there are a couple of things you can do:


  • Firstly, you can shine a light over the veins in your wrist. If these look blue or purple, then you have a cool undertone. If they are yellow or green, then you have a warm undertone. If your veins aren’t visible, then it’s likely you have a neutral undertone.
  • If the light test doesn’t work, a simple way to discover your undertone is by wearing a white blouse or t-shirt. If you look washed out in white, then you have a cool undertone. On the other hand, if your skin looks tanned and healthy against the stark white, then you have a warm tone!
  • Take a look at your natural hair color. Often, those with icy blond or light brown hair have a cool skin undertone, whereas dark brown, black, and caramel blond hair is usually associated with a warm undertone. Red hair can either accompany a cool, warm or even neutral skin tone! Of course, if you dye your hair, then this won’t affect your skin’s natural undertone and won’t alter what jewelry looks best against your skin.
  • How easily you tan is also a clear indication of your skin tone. Whereas people who tan easily have warm undertones, someone who turns pink or burns under the sun has a cool undertone. People with cool undertones often have less pigment in their skin and are more prone to blushing. If your cheeks are rosy red, then you don’t have a warm skin undertone!

Which jewelry goes better with which undertone?


When it comes to silver vs. gold jewelry skin tone, cool undertones often fare better with silver jewelry, whereas gold pieces look gorgeous with warm undertones. Gold jewelry may make someone with a cool undertone appear extremely pale and a little unhealthy, whereas silver jewelry on warm undertones can look a bit jarring.


If you’re a fan of rose gold, then it’s best to avoid this if you have a pinkish tint to your skin. Rose gold jewelry looks gorgeous on warm tones, but if you’re prone to redness then it could enhance this.

Contact Richard’s Custom Jewelers


When it comes to jewelry, gold and silver are both elegant and timeless metals that look great in any design. If you want an exquisite gold bracelet or an eye-catching silver pendant necklace, you can create your custom-made piece at Richard’s Custom Jewelers.


Located in Hurst, Texas, our expert team can help you to find a piece of jewelry from our collection that flatters your skin tone or assist you in creating a one-of-a-kind piece.

To make an appointment, contact us via our website or call us on 817-268-0049.

Gold or Silver? How to Pick the Right Metal For Your Skin Tone (2024)

FAQs

What skin tones look better with silver or gold? ›

As a general rule, gold jewellery tends to flatter warm undertones more whereas white metals such as silver platinum and white gold look better on paler skin with a cool undertone. Rose gold straddles the line somewhere between the two and so looks equally as good on those with warm or cool undertones.

How do I choose the right metal for my skin tone? ›

Match Your Metal to Your Tone

Experts agree that if you fall in the cool category, white metals complement your skin the best. These include platinum, white gold, and silver. If your skin tone falls in the warm category, then opt for yellow gold or copper for greatest visual effect.

Which skin tone looks good with silver? ›

Cool Skin Tones

To see if you have cool undertones, use the same wrist-vein check, but instead look for hints of blue or red in your skin. If these colors are present, you are probably "cool." Cool skin tones should gravitate toward silver jewelry, which will make you shine.

What color gold for skin tone? ›

For instance gold works best with those with warmer, darker skin tones and silver complements those best with cool skin tones. Rose gold on the other hand works well with any skin tone type and is perhaps the most versatile of the three, hence it's relative popularity.

How do I know if I look better in silver or gold? ›

That depends on the undertone of your skin. If you have a cold undertone, you will look your best in silver and white gold. If you have a warm undertone, your best choice will be yellow gold. If your skin undertone is olive or neutral, you are lucky, you can equally look great in yellow gold, and white gold or silver.

How do I choose gold or silver? ›

Skin tone plays a role in determining the best accessory colour to deliver the right look instead of clashing with complementary colours. For anyone who has cooler skin tones, silver jewellery is the most natural choice. For those with warmer skin tones, gold jewellery should be the way you go.

What jewelry matches my skin tone? ›

Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. Green veins indicate a warm skin tone, whereas blue veins indicate a cool skin tone. So if your veins are green, gold jewelry suits you. If your veins are blue, silver jewelry suits you.

What jewelry is best for skin tone? ›

Match your skin tone with the right jewelry.
  • Cool skin tone looks best with red, purple, and blue gemstones. ...
  • Cool skin tone also matches best with white metals. ...
  • Warm skin tone looks best with yellow, orange, and green. ...
  • Warm skin tone also matches best with yellow metals. ...
  • Diamonds look good with any skin tone.

What metal looks good on my skin? ›

Once you have a good impression of whether you are warm or cool, it's time to select the metal for you. Cooler skin tones work best with white golds and platinum. Warm skin tones are well matched with yellow gold, but also look fabulous when dressed with less typical jewellery metals, such as copper and brass.

Does silver look better on pale people? ›

Do you have light pale to pale skin with cool undertones? Then silver is the way to go for you. It looks fresh against your skin, especially if you also have light or blonde hair. Steer clear from rose gold jewellery as this will accentuate the pink undertones in your skin and make you blush in a not so flattering way.

Is silver a warm or cool tone? ›

And contrast is the key ingredient. Silver, when it's not reflecting tons of light (as jewelry likes to do), is grayish and cool toned. It tends to stand out and look "better" on warm tones. Cool tones, you guessed it, lack that warm hue - and gold stands out.

Can pale people wear gold? ›

“Yellow gold actually looks good on all skin tones. If you're pale, it can really help to brighten you up, and nothing is sexier than yellow gold in the summer with a tan,” says Zamagias. It can also be helpful to consider the general color palette of your ready-to-wear wardrobe, too.

How do I choose the color gold? ›

Your skin tone

For women with warmer skin tones, such as olive, brown, but also lighter shades with a hint of golden in it, yellow gold will suit them the best. If their skin is instead cooler or pinkish in tone, white gold will best enhance their natural beauty.

Why do I prefer silver over gold? ›

This implies that gold is way more expensive than silver because it is scarce. Silver is durable, gorgeous, and affordable. If you are looking to have a collection of precious metal jewelry, silver is a good choice.

Who should wear silver? ›

It is believed that silver was produced from the eyes of Lord Shiva due to which Silver is a symbol of prosperity. So whosoever wears silver is fulfilled with prosperity.

Who should not wear silver? ›

Who Should Not Wear Silver. According to astrology, the people of these three zodiac signs Aries, Sagittarius, and Leo should not wear silver things. All these three zodiac signs belong to the element of fire and the Moon, the ruling planet of silver, is related to the element of water.

Does gold or silver look better on olive skin? ›

If you have olive skin, you can wear most any jewellery metal, but gold is your best bet. People with warm skin tones, like our gorgeous model Kristy, tend to lead towards gold as their main metal.

Is silver or gold more classy? ›

Elegance above everything. Due to its excessive use throughout history, yellow gold is often seen as gaudy by those who prefer silver. Silver on the other hand has come to typify elegance and restrained sophistication.

Who should wear gold? ›

Adorning gold is believed to be auspicious for Aries, Cancer, Leo and Sagittarius zodiacs. While it gives moderate results for Scorpio and Pisces zodiacs. On the other hand, gold may not be good for Taurus, Gemini, Virgo and Aquarius zodiacs. Besides this, Libra and Capricorn women should try to wear minimum gold.

How do I choose jewellery for my face? ›

The cheekbones are the widest point of the face, and the chin is often pointy. Choosing designs that reduce the emphasis on the jawline, while making the forehead appear wider will look flattering on a diamond shaped face.

What jewelry does not affect skin? ›

Platinum is a great metal to choose for those who have sensitive skin because it is naturally hypoallergenic! In the case of stainless steel, be sure that the jewelry is made from surgical stainless steel. This is pure steel and will be less likely to cause your skin problems.

Is silver metal good for skin? ›

This is quite effective in treating acne, rosacea, and eczema. Furthermore, silver's emollient qualities seal in the skin's moisture, soothing the irritated skin, and reducing sebum/oil production while tightening the skin pores.

What metals for neutral skin tone? ›

If you've found you have both greeny-blue veins on your wrists, you probably have neutral skin which means you can wear any metal colour. Anything from the silvery colours of platinum and white gold to the warm tones of rose gold and yellow gold should suit your skin beautifully!

What is the healthiest metal to wear? ›

Niobium. Niobium is 99.99% pure. It does not react to skin chemistry, and will never corrode or tarnish. It is the safest metal for allergy sufferers to wear.

Does being pale make you look older? ›

Considering the detrimental effects that the sun can have on our skin, it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that lighter skin tones typically ages faster than darker ones. “More photoaging occurs in pale skin, as there is less protection from UV damage,” explains Dr. Alexa B.

What color clothes make you look pale? ›

You'll want to stay away from shades that are too bright and light. White will make you look too pale, and black will give you a goth vibe. Neons, yellows, and lilac won't bring out the best in your skin, either.

Do blondes look better in gold or silver? ›

3. Silver jewelry looks better than gold jewelry on blondes, whether cool or warm-toned. If you want a metal option that 'just works' with minimal effort, silver jewelry is a better choice.

What colors are best for skin tone? ›

The general rule of thumb is that skin with cool undertones look best with greys, browns, blues, greens and purples. Skin with warm undertones look best with either bright or light colors. And skin with neutral undertones looks great in bold, bright colors.

What colors look best on neutral skin tone? ›

The Best Colors For Neutral Skin Tones

Consider a palette of dusty pink, medium green, jade, light peach and lagoon blue when opting for color. In terms of neutrals, off-white, medium greys, back and coffee will highlight your features best.

Should Asians wear silver or gold? ›

Asian skin tones are flattered so well by classic golds like 14K and 18K which have a more yellow colour to them. Rose gold also works really well and can add softness with that little blush of pink.

Should I get white or yellow gold for my skin tone? ›

Yellow gold can wash out some pale skin tones, yet warm up others. It's usually just gorgeous on women with darker tones. Silver and white metals flatter most all skin tones, so platinum, palladium, white gold and silver are great options.

Why doesn't gold look good on pale skin? ›

Gold jewelry may make someone with a cool undertone appear extremely pale and a little unhealthy, whereas silver jewelry on warm undertones can look a bit jarring. If you're a fan of rose gold, then it's best to avoid this if you have a pinkish tint to your skin.

Does gold look better on darker people? ›

If you have darker skin, you don't have to worry about whether you can pull off gold or silver jewelry. Let's be clear — either metal will look striking, so you can feel comfortable picking the piece that aligns with your personal taste.

What are the 4 types of skin tones? ›

The 4 Main Types Of Skin Tones Are:
  • Light.
  • Fair.
  • Medium.
  • Deep (Dark)
Sep 5, 2022

Is there an app to determine skin tone? ›

YouCam Makeup is the best foundation shape-matching app to try 100+ foundation shades for free virtually. Users can try more than one hundred foundation shade colors to find the ones matching their skin tone, also real-life product foundation shade colors to try in the app easily.

What are the 3 skin tones? ›

Determining Your Skin Undertone

The three undertones are: Cool - Characterized by a bluish undertone to the skin. Warm - A golden or peach-colored undertone. Neutral - A neutral undertone is neither cool nor warm.

What is the most popular shade of gold? ›

Colour. Yellow gold jewellery is still the most popular colour, but today gold is available in a diverse palette. The process of alloying—mixing other metals with pure 24 carat gold—gives malleable gold more durability, but can also be used to change its colour.

What color makes gold stand out the most? ›

The trick is to pair metallic gold with warm, deep-tone neutrals, such as charcoal or slate gray, chocolate brown, rich olive green, and dark tan or beige. White works, too, but be sure to choose a warmer shade so the contrast doesn't appear too cool when paired with gold.

Which gold is best for white skin? ›

White gold and sterling silver looks fresh on really pale skin, but if your skin has pinkish undertones, steer clear of rose gold as it could make you look red faced. Yellow gold can really lift a pale complexion if you have pale undertones.

Does silver look better with white or black? ›

Silver usually goes best with black but can also look amazing with white and gray. Officially, these are considered shades and not colors. These shades contrast well with silver, making us aware of its presence with it not being overpowered by color.

Should I wear gold or silver with neutral undertones? ›

But, if matching your skin tone to your jewelry is something important to you, you can follow the rules. Those with a warm undertone should stick with gold and a cool undertone with silver. A neutral undertone works with white and yellow metals, giving you silver and gold as options.

What color looks better with gold? ›

The trick is to pair metallic gold with warm, deep-tone neutrals, such as charcoal or slate gray, chocolate brown, rich olive green, and dark tan or beige. White works, too, but be sure to choose a warmer shade so the contrast doesn't appear too cool when paired with gold.

What jewelry goes with everything? ›

Diamonds have been fixed in jewelry since they were first discovered by people thousands of years ago. And there's a good reason they've been such popular gems for so long: the diamond goes with anything!

How do I know what my undertone is gold? ›

In a place with bright, natural light, hold up a piece of printer paper and look at how your skin reacts to it. If your skin looks pinkish against the paper, you probably have cooler undertones; if your skin looks yellow against the paper, you're probably a warm tone.

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