Ring with emeralds
Modern fashion has blown the strict rules of decades-old jewelry etiquette out of the water. But before you load on your diamond bangles with your emerald chandelier earrings, there still remain a few gemstone guidelines to follow for avoiding those pesky fashion faux pas.
Like Night and Day
Remember the adage, “There is a time and place for everything”?
Jewels are no exception. Boldly colored stones such as emeralds are often too overwhelming for daywear – especially in the workplace.
An easy way to discern whether a piece is appropriate is to use this mnemonic device: Diamonds for Day, Emeralds for Evening.
Diamonds are the hardest stones and best suited for daily activity. Their lack of color makes them the perfect subtle accessory for business and casual clothing alike.
Many places of business have specific dress code policies that discourage the wearing of much jewelry. Do check your employer’s rules, but simple diamond stud earrings or a small pendant is usually an appropriate touch of sparkle to wear with a workday outfit.
The vivid coloration and often substantial size of emerald jewelry tends to look gaudy and out of place with daywear.
With more formal eveningwear, however, emeralds emanate a rich glow impossible to capture in diamonds.
Though diamonds are also suitable for night, the richness of colored stones comes across especially well with evening dress.
Gemstones and Size: Rising to the Occasion
Both emeralds and diamonds can vary in size, of course, so the scale of your jewelry should also be considered when deciding which is more appropriate.
Keep in mind that your jewelry should be proportional to the occasion. Celebrities walking the red carpet can layer on the glam without appearing overdone because the context is an enormous formal affair.
Now imagine walking into an office interview wearing that jewelry with a business suit. What would the employer think?
Vice versa, simple stud earrings would look too casual at the Oscars. At events when the goal is to showcase your own beauty, regardless of the stone, choose the piece that will enhance your overall look without distracting from it.
Gemstones can be worn with a t-shirt and jeans to the grocery store as easily as they can be worn with a bridal gown at a wedding and still look relevant so long as the scale is right.
Color Choice: Versatility vs. Simplicity
When it comes to wardrobe choices, diamonds truly are a girl’s best friends. Their clarity and neutral coloration give them the ability to pair well with every color, print and fabric in your closet.
Perfect for transitioning your look from day to evening, diamonds are the most hassle-free accessory to have on hand.
Emeralds do not offer the same versatility. The deep green of this stone clashes with most other colors and easily gets lost when worn with loud patterns.
Solid neutral tones such as grays and whites display emeralds best. Black with emerald is a classic combination that never fails to look opulent and luscious.
The key to wearing these intense green gems is to style everything around them simply. If you want this jewel to take center stage, let the rest of your ensemble serve as a backdrop.
The Synopsis
When caught in a jewelry conundrum just remember these basic guidelines:
– Save emeralds and other colored stones for evening and special occasions.
– Small diamonds are appropriate for casual wear and the workplace, but check company dress code policies.
– Jewelry should be proportional to its context.
– When in doubt, opt for diamonds over emeralds as diamonds are more versatile.
