"The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you." - Coco Chanel
When thinking about jewelry and in particular necklaces and pendants, it can be very easy to go straight to the traditional kinds of designs which are simple gold chain link necklaces of varying lengths, maybe accompanied by a pendant.
While these kinds of necklaces are certainly classic and minimalist, why would you want to stick to the ‘old-fashioned’ way of accessorizing when there are so many great fashion trends for inspiration?
If you are looking to add some fun, modern vibes to your jewelry collection this year, then bright colors in jewelry designs are definitely the road that you should be traveling down in your style journey!
Take a look at any popular TikTok star’s page and you will see that all of their best jewelry is jewelry that carries strong color motifs. Jewelry trends can come and go quicker than the blink of an eye, but we are here to tell you that 2022 and beyond are going to be very much focused on incorporating as much color into everything from your pendants to your hoop earrings to your bangles and every other type of jewelry in between.
As with any trend involving jewelry pieces, you need to make sure that you are doing it in the right way to get the most out of the particular style choice in question. You could be rocking Dior, Fendi, Hermes, Saint Laurent, or Tom Ford but no matter how expensive and luxurious the brand name is if you don’t know how to properly show it off, your gold chain with colorful pendant just isn’t going to pop as it should.
Here are some great tips for how to wear colorful necklaces in 2022 and beyond. Consider this a guide to follow for the next time you are at an online retailer or jewelry store buying fine jewelry to add to your ever-expanding collection!
1. Make Your Colorful Pendant The Standout Feature
If you want your colored gemstone pendant to be the stand-out feature of your look, then make sure it is the only piece of jewelry you are wearing that features any pops of color at all.
Something that you will see on plenty of New York runways this season is a maximalist approach to jewelry. You’ll see layering with multiple chains around the neck and even body chains, but what will stand out from the crowd is that most of the jewelry is sterling silver or gold jewelry that doesn’t feature gemstones.
Having a couple of plain yellow gold chains can be a good base for your look, but to take it that extra step in terms of style, you should choose a pendant that has a bold splash of bejeweled color to really stand out on the neckline and catch the eye.
If you are going to spend a decent amount of money on a gemstone necklace, then the last thing you want is for the rest of your jewelry to clash with it and reduce its impact in your overall look. Eliminate the competition by sticking to more minimalist choices to accompany it like a pair of simple gold hoop earrings or studs, and then you can afford to really go over the top with the one piece of bright color that you select.
Be careful with matching colorful gemstones to your outfit too. For example, a bright top, maybe a bold print Versace shirt, will deaden the effect of a gemstone pendant whereas the same necklace could look stunning on a simple Givenchy turtleneck.
But matching colors could also not create the effect you’re after. For example, this Tempera Blue Color Pendant may get lost when worn with a blue v-neck top but will look gorgeous against a white Valentino t-shirt.
2. Match The Gemstone To Your Hair Or Eye Color
A really simple way to create a sense of natural fluidity in your look is to match the color of the gemstones that you use to the color of your eyes or your hair. Of course, this isn’t always the easiest task for somebody with very dark brown eyes, but those with green, hazel, or blue eyes can have a lot of fun exploring the diverse variety of gemstones that can match the natural coloring of your features.
Blues and greens obviously work the best in these kinds of pairing up situations, with stones like sapphire, topaz, and emerald all making perfect matches that bring some sparkle and connection between your features and the pieces of jewelry that you choose to wear.
In terms of an outfit in this matching exercise, we don’t recommend following the same rule. For example, if you are wearing all blue stones to match your blue eyes like the SG Blue Color Pendant, then we don’t recommend also wearing a blue dress because it will reduce the impact of the gemstones. Instead, opt for something in black that can really help the brilliant blue to pop and shine.
3. Experiment With Layering Different Colors
If you want to really push the boat out and explore different levels of style, incorporate a number of different gemstone varieties in a single look.
You definitely want to choose colors that are going to be complementary with one another such as blue and purple, or black and green, but the art of layering is something that can be absolutely stunning when the perfect pendants have been selected.
The trick to beautiful layering is often in choosing chains of different lengths so that you don’t have a ‘clump’ of gemstone pendants all resting on your chest in the same place. Instead, something like a choker with one color, a mid-length chain with another, and then a longer chain with a third can really make an impact because it gives the stones the room to shine and pop on their own whilst also working together to create a wonderful spectrum of color on your body.
This can be quite a skill but a great effect can still be achieved if you want to pick one statement colorful pendant necklace and use decorative chains like the others in your group. For example, this Watermelon-Colored Tourmaline Pendant Necklace will work great with this Harmonie Necklace and a fancy chain necklace with heavier links in a longer length or a choker necklace.
Layering different colors means paying attention to coordination. Complementary colors may look good when layered in necklaces but if you choose a bold gemstone pendant, do not choose something like drop earrings in a different gemstone.
Another consideration of layering with different colors is the choice of precious metals. Putting a rose gold chain with a pearl necklace will work well but will it create a cohesive look if you then add in a necklace of sterling silver?
4. Wear Matching Stones Across Your Look
If you aren’t so much a fan of color clashing and mixing, then a classic way to wear color in jewelry is to make sure that you have the same stones and colors across all of the pieces.
From the earrings to the necklaces to the bangles or bracelets and rings, choose your favorite stone and color and commit to creating a look that features that stone as a motif throughout the whole of your outfit.
Reds, blues, purples, and even strong blacks (like onyx) are perfect choices for this kind of ‘whole body’ matching because they are colors that are bold and vivid enough to pop and shine when placed against even the most glamorous and adventurous of outfits.
An example of matching is this Eden Blue Sapphire and Diamond Necklace with the Tempera Blue Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet and Blue Sapphire Huggie Earrings.
5. Wear Your Birthstone
If you want your jewelry to reflect something deep and connected to yourself and your personality, then choosing your birthstone as your motif across your jewelry is a good choice.
All of the birthstones assigned to each month in the calendar are beautiful, and there are always wide ranges of jewelry in every category that features birthstones in every way you can think of.
If you aren’t familiar with the birthstone chart, then here is a quick reminder to help you find your own stone.
- January - Garnet
- February - Amethyst
- March - Aquamarine
- April - Diamond
- May - Emerald
- June - Alexandrite
- July - Ruby
- August - Peridot
- September - Sapphire
- October - Tourmaline
- November - Topaz
- December - Blue Topaz
The most important thing to remember about wearing jewelry is that you should love it. Whether you are following a trend or going your own way, as long as you feel comfortable and are happy with the look you have created, it doesn’t matter if the guidelines we’ve laid out above are followed or broken. Rules are meant to be broken - just have fun doing it!
