When it comes to fashion and style, we’re a firm believer in wearing whatever makes you happy–be it in makeup, clothing, footwear, and especially jewelry. Besides, strict rules can hinder creativity, and having to follow them can certainly take the fun out of accessorizing. While trends come and go, some guidelines can help us make better decisions regarding jewelry-related matters. These guide on the do’s and don’ts in wearing accessories will give you a greater chance of keeping your bling spick-and-span for a very long time.
Jewelry Do’s and Don’ts Tips
No matter what style they come in, jewelry holds significant value–both sentimental and financial. This makes them one of the most precious items a person can own. Given that, it’s no wonder why everyone wants their jewelry to last forever. In this article, we’ll be tackling the basic do’s and don’ts in wearing accessories, how to wear jewelry in specific settings, how to take care of your jewelry, and all the things in between. By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the know-how on styling and preserving your jewelry!
How to Wear Jewelry
Jewelry can make or break your overall look, so you have to make sure you choose the right accessories. One of the most important things to consider when deciding what jewelry to wear is the occasion. The necklace you wear for a formal event can’t be the same as the necklace you wear to work. There is always a proper attire for every situation, and the same rule applies to jewelry. Here are some tips on how to wear jewelry for the most common situations you could find yourself in.
Professional jewelry
The rule of thumb for jewelry at work is that it shouldn’t be distracting or noisy. Remember that you’re in a professional setting, so you should wear something that won’t offend your bosses, colleagues, and clients. If you work in a buttoned-up environment, then it’s best to leave showy types of jewelry for the weekend.
Earrings
Sticking to fine metal stud earrings or small hoops is best if you want to add a subtle shine to your look. As for the hoops, make sure that they don’t make noise when you move because it can distract others.
Necklace
A necklace with a simple pendant would go well with a blouse and blazer. Choose one in a color that will match most of your work outfits so you can wear it often.
Ring
A fine metal band is your best friend when it comes to proper office jewelry. A simple ring adds a little something to your overall look without demanding too much attention.
Bracelet
Avoid wearing stacking bangles or bracelets as they may clink and clank against your desk when you’re typing. Instead, opt to wear a flexible metal bracelet that won’t get in the way while working with your hands. Plus, they look more professional when paired with sleek blouses and office dresses.
Casual jewelry
You can still amp up your accessorizing game even on casual occasions, such as brunch with friends, weekend errands, or a stroll at the mall. Here are some jewelry styling suggestions for the more easy-breezy days of your week.
Earrings
Casual wear often involves wearing jeans and a basic shirt. If you want to add a dash of color to your everyday outfit, gemstone earrings are the perfect go-to.
Necklace
If you’re the v-neck tee and high-neck sweater type of gal, you can layer two or three pendant necklaces of varying lengths over your top to get that effortlessly chic look.
Ring
A few rings on each hand of varying metals like gold, white gold, or rose gold can give your overall look a cool vibe.
Bracelet
This is where your bangle bracelets come in handy; they can improve your look instantly and make you appear put-together even when you’re sporting a basic tee and a messy bun.
Party jewelry
Dinner and cocktail parties are the perfect time for you to bring out your fashion jewelry. Statement pieces add charisma to cocktail dresses, and little black dresses would look boring without any sparkly items to liven it up. Just make sure to stick to one or two pieces at a time; you don’t want your accessories to overpower your outfit.
Earrings
If you’re sporting a classic black dress, colored-gemstone earrings will add a pop of color to an otherwise monotonous outfit.
Necklace
A thick statement necklace will look dazzling during a fun night out. However, if you want to go chunky elsewhere, just sport a minimalist necklace with a hint of shine.
Ring
The bigger the ring, the more it will draw attention. If that’s your goal, a cocktail ring is a sure-fire way to go.
Bracelet
Since we’re already talking about going big, a chunky bangle bracelet or a thick cuff will do great as arm accessories. If you’re going to wear a ring, make sure it balances out the flamboyant arm candy; opt for a simpler ring in the same color range.
Formal jewelry
For occasions where you need to look your finest, such as weddings and galas, the classics are your best bet. Nothing screams of elegance like timeless pieces; they make the perfect finishing touches to your formal look, especially if you wear them with confidence.
Earrings
Crystal earring jackets or ear climbers can help keep a formal ensemble from appearing too stiff. If you wear these, make sure you style your hair in a way that allows a full view of them.
Necklace
A diamond pendant necklace is a classic and pairs well with almost anything.
Ring
A cocktail ring is also an excellent pick for formal occasions. Wear it on its own and make sure that the ring’s level of grandeur matches your outfit.
Bracelet
You can never go wrong with diamonds during formal events, which is why a tennis bracelet makes the perfect wrist accessory for such occasions. It provides just the right amount of dazzle.
Jewelry Maintenance
Everyone wants the natural beauty of their jewelry to remain for a long time, so it’s necessary to understand how to properly maintain it. Here are a few jewelry care instructions that will help your pieces stay in tip-top condition for years to come.
Keep them away from chemicals
Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum don’t fare too well when exposed to chemicals. Even conventional beauty products like lotions, hairsprays, and perfumes may contain ingredients that are too harsh for your jewelry. They can permanently damage the surface of your items and strip them of their natural luster. So when you’re fixing yourself up, remember to put on your jewelry last. Another jewelry kryptonite is chlorine; make sure you remove all your jewelry before diving into a chlorinated pool. Most household cleaners can also damage your pieces, so make sure your hands are bare before you start working.
Don’t sleep in them
Most of you might have slept in your jewelry at least once without any problems, but it isn’t recommended. As you toss and turn in your bed at night, you can break a chain, bend a prong, or lose a stone. Earrings have also been known to end up in a person’s ear. With that said, it’s generally safer for you to go to bed without any bling.
Store them properly
Keep your jewelry in a clean and dry place—ideally in a soft cloth-lined jewelry box—to prevent dents, tangles, and scratches. Make sure to keep each item separate from the other and, if possible, wrap the individual pieces in a soft cloth or tissue.
Don’t expose them to heat and light
The sun’s harmful rays can hurt not only your skin but also your precious jewelry. When exposed to light and heat, a gemstone’s color and durability are downgraded. It can damage and fade gems, such as amethyst, kunzite, and topaz. Pearls and ivories will bleach under exposure to extreme light, while amber will darken. Excessive heat and abrupt temperature changes can also fracture some gemstones, and heat can also easily remove the natural moisture that keeps them healthy.
How do you clean jewelry?
Generally, the safest way to clean your jewelry involves using the simplest ingredients: mild dish soap and warm water. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush or a soft lint-free cloth, you can scrub away dirt built up on the surface and in the crevices of your jewelry. After that, you can let it dry on a top of a cloth or tissue.
If your piece contains glued gems, don’t submerge it in water; more importantly, never use hot water. If you do these, you might end up with loose stones, so the better option is to scrub it using a damp cloth. As for pieces that contain fixed gemstones—those with metal fixtures that hold the gem in place—they’re safe to submerge. The rule regarding hot water still applies here, as a sudden change in temperature can crack some types of stones. If your jewelry doesn’t have gems, it’s safe to soak it in warm water while cleaning.
While you can easily clean your jewelry at home, you also have the option to bring it to a professional cleaner. But if you’re the type who prefers to do it yourself, you may refer to your jewelry care card for specific instructions on how to maintain your precious pieces. If you’re wondering how to take care of artificial jewelry, the same recommendations above apply.
Jewelry Do’s and Don’ts
Every penny spent on your jewelry should be worth it, that’s why it’s essential to know the basic do’s and don’ts when it comes to these precious items. Below, we round up the general recommendations that can serve as your guide when buying and wearing jewelry.
Do’s
Invest in staples
There are certain pieces that every woman should have in her trove of accessories. These include a gold chain, a diamond bracelet, pearl jewelry, a cocktail ring, a pair of stud earrings, gold hoops, and a gold bracelet. Understandably, these will take time to accumulate, but once you’ve got all these classics sorted, finding pieces to wear for different occasions will be easy-peasy.
Mix it up
Mixing metals used to be a faux pas, but now, that idea is just ridiculous. We know now that silver, platinum, and white gold look amazing when paired with warmed-toned metals like yellow gold and rose gold. So if you want to wear varying metals at once, then, by all means, go for it!
Balance your proportions
Learn how to use jewelry to draw emphasis away from your weakest assets. If you have a short torso, you can balance that out by donning a long necklace. If your neck has visible lines that you want to hide, draw attention away from it by wearing dramatic earrings.
Dont’s
Wear statement pieces at once
While statement pieces are meant to attract, wearing them all at once isn’t such a great idea. If you want to use a statement piece, just choose one and pair it with simple jewelry so that you won’t look overdone. Remember, too much of a good thing is bad, and that also applies to jewelry.
Match down to the very last piece
Wearing matching sets used to be trendy, but today’s styles show you don’t have to wear matching jewelry all the time. In fact, it’s even better if you don’t! Mixing is all the rage right now.
Spend too much on costume pieces
There’s nothing wrong with wearing costume jewelry. In fact, a considerable percentage of women own them. However, keep in mind that investing a substantial amount on semi-fine jewelry isn’t worth it, especially if you can afford to buy one or two pieces of fine jewelry with the same amount of money.
People place a high value on jewelry not just because it’s beautiful, but also because it carries sentimental value. It brings special memories of travels, loved ones, and significant life events. They can also give you a boost of confidence when you need it the most. These are just some of the reasons why preserving jewelry is an important mission for every jewelry-owner. We hope the jewelry do’s and don’ts tips we provided above will help you keep your precious pieces intact for the decades to come!
If you’re a complete jewelry newbie, you may want to check this guide we created on how to want more information on how to buy jewelry like a boss.
