Gold or silver: which jewellery suits your skin tone?

How do you find your undertone?

• Vein test: in daylight, look at the veins on your inner wrist. Greenish veins suggest warm; blue or purple suggest cool; a mix suggests neutral.
• Paper test: hold white paper next to your face without make-up. Skin that looks golden or peachy is warm; pink or rosy is cool; neither is neutral.
• Jewellery test: try a gold and a silver piece side by side. The one that makes your skin look brighter and more even is likely your match.

Which metals suit each undertone?

• Warm: yellow gold, rose gold, copper and brass tones; warm stones such as amber, citrine and coral.
• Cool: silver, white gold, platinum-look and stainless steel; cool stones such as sapphire blue, amethyst and pearls.
• Neutral: both gold and silver, plus rose gold and two-tone pieces.

Is it really about skin tone?

Undertone is only one factor. Hair colour, eye colour, the colours you wear most and the occasion all matter. Gold often looks festive with Indian wear, while silver looks crisp with blues, greys and whites. Many people simply prefer one metal, and that confidence matters more than any rule.

How to mix metals

Mixing gold and silver is widely accepted. Make it look intentional by repeating each tone at least twice, using a two-tone piece to bridge them, or adding rose gold, which sits between the two. Keep the watch and the main ring in the same family if you want a calmer look.

Choosing metal for a gift

If you are not sure of someone's undertone, look at what they already wear most often — that is the best guide. When in doubt, rose gold and two-tone designs are the safest choices.

Choosing metal for festive and formal wear

For weddings and festivals with warm reds, maroons and golds, gold-tone jewellery usually blends best. For pastels, whites, blues and silvers, silver and rose gold look fresh. For black-tie or evening wear, either metal works; choose the one that echoes your shoes, bag or embellishment.