How to Choose Jewellery That Complements Your Skin Tone

What Exactly is Skin Tone, Anyway?

Let's clear up one thing right away—skin tone isn't about how pale or dark your skin looks. It's about the subtle undertones underneath your skin's surface. Ever wondered why silver jewellery sparkles beautifully on your best friend but doesn't work on you, even though your complexions seem similar? That's your undertone at play.

The concept became mainstream thanks to makeup artists and fashion stylists in the early 1900s, skyrocketing in popularity during the colourful 1980s with "seasonal colour theory." Suddenly, everyone wanted to know if they were a "Winter" or a "Summer." This method grouped people based on hair, eyes, and skin tones, promising colour choices that genuinely flatter.

Quick Clarification:

• Cool undertones have hints of blue, pink, or red beneath the surface.

• Warm undertones lean toward yellow, golden, or peachy shades.

• Neutral undertones mix both, making them uniquely versatile.

Discover Your Skin Tone in Minutes (Without a Pro)

Forget complex colour consultations—here are four quick ways to discover your undertones from home:

1. Check Your Veins - Glance at your inner wrist in natural daylight. Bluish veins indicate cool tones; greenish veins signal warmth. Seeing both? You're probably neutral.

2. The White Shirt Test - Grab a pure white and an ivory-coloured garment. Which instantly brightens your face? Pure white means cool undertones; ivory flatters warm. Struggling to see a difference? Hello, neutral.

3. Sun Exposure Reaction - Burn easily under the sun? You're likely cool. Tan beautifully? You're probably warm. Both? Neutral.

4. Gold vs. Silver Jewellery - Try both gold and silver jewellery. Silver looks more flattering on cool skin; gold pops against warmth. If both seem equally flattering, lucky you—neutral it is!

Expert Insight: Natural daylight is critical. Artificial lighting often masks your true tones.

Jewellery That Shines on Cool Skin Tones

If your undertones are cool, embrace the elegant vibe of icy metals and rich gemstones.

• Best Metals - Platinum, White gold

• Perfect Gems - Sapphire, Emerald, Amethyst, Blue topaz, Opal

• Pearls That Pop - White or rosé-hued pearls for that extra glow

• Celebrity Style Inspo - Cate Blanchett at the Oscars—silver elegance at its finest. Lupita Nyong'o's vibrant sapphires—pure cool-tone perfection.

Styling Tip: Cool-toned jewellery will blend seamlessly if your closet is filled with jewel tones or blues.

Jewellery That Warms Up Warm Skin Tones

Warm skin undertones radiate golden, peachy hues. Match that warmth with sun-kissed metals and earthy gems.

• Best Metals - Yellow gold, Rose gold

• Perfect Gems - Citrine, Garnet, Turquoise, Ruby, Peridot

• Pearls That Pop - Golden South Sea pearls or champagne hues

• Celebrity Style Inspo - Beyoncé’s iconic gold jewellery or Priyanka Chopra’s radiant rubies—these stars master warm-tone sparkle effortlessly.

Styling Tip: Warm jewellery will feel intuitively right if you naturally reach for terracottas, olives, and creams.

The Versatile Beauty of Neutral Undertones

If you're neutral, congratulations—you're the jewellery chameleon! Your versatile skin can easily switch between warm and cool tones.

• Best Metals - White gold, Platinum, Rose gold, Yellow gold—mix and match freely

• Perfect Gems - Diamonds, Smoky quartz, Morganite, Tourmaline (especially watermelon hues)

• Pearls That Pop -Ivory, silvery tones—try both to discover your favourite

• Celebrity Style Inspo - Zendaya or Rihanna—style icons known for effortlessly shifting between silver glamour and golden elegance.

Styling Tip: Match jewellery to your outfit or event rather than your undertones alone. Flexibility is your superpower.

Personal Style: Making Your Own Jewellery Rules

Guidelines about skin tones are helpful, but personal style always reigns supreme. Love wearing silver despite having warm undertones? Go for it. Enjoy mixing gold and silver pieces? Embrace it.

Today’s jewellery trends celebrate individuality and confidence. Forget strict rules, wear pieces that speak to your style and story.

Style Reminder: Wearing jewellery that makes you feel authentically you? That's timeless.

You Found Your Match, but is it Covered?

When you finally find a piece of jewellery that feels like it was made for you—something that enhances your skin tone, suits your style, and makes you feel effortlessly polished—you're going to want to wear it. A lot.

That's when care becomes essential, not just in how you store or clean your jewellery, but in how you safeguard it against the unexpected.

Coloured gemstones, in particular, can vary in durability. Pearls are soft, opals are delicate, and garnets and turquoise can scratch or chip easily. Even a seemingly tough metal band can bend, tarnish, or lose a stone during everyday wear or travel.

Why Specialist Jewellery Insurance Is Worth Considering

Engagement rings, heirlooms, and custom-designed jewellery often hold value that goes far beyond the price tag. When insuring these pieces, it may be worth considering cover designed specifically for the complexities of fine jewellery.

Specialist jewellery insurance may be particularly useful if you have custom-designed pieces, unique gemstones, or heirlooms with sentimental value that could be difficult to replace. It can also be a suitable option for those who wear their jewellery frequently or travel regularly.

As with any insurance, it’s important to understand exactly what you're covered for. Reviewing the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) will help you decide whether the policy aligns with your needs and expectations.

While some home contents policies may offer limited jewellery cover, they can sometimes include sub-limits, apply excesses, and may not provide international coverage or full replacement value. It's important to check the fine print on your current policy before assuming it fits your needs.

A policy arranged through a jewellery-specific insurer like JewelCover may include features such as:

• Cover for accidental damage, loss, and theft (as outlined in the PDS)

• The ability to return to your original or preferred jeweller for repairs or replacement

• Worldwide coverage, supporting you at home and abroad, subject to policy exclusions and conditions

• Complimentary annual revaluation, so your level of cover can stay aligned with current market values

Curious about how specialist jewellery cover compares to your current plan? Explore your personalised, indicative JewelCover quote online today.

From Style Match to Smart Cover

Choosing jewellery that complements your skin tone is a simple yet transformative way to enhance your look. Once you know your tones, finding flattering metals and gemstones is easy, intuitive, and fun.

And when you discover those perfect pieces—those you’ll treasure for years—it may make sense to safeguard them with insurance designed specifically for precious jewellery.

Get started on your personalised quote with JewelCover and explore what cover could look like for your most treasured pieces.