“If I had my way, I’d wear jewellery, a great pair of heels and nothing else.” Jada Pinkett Smith
Well, actor Jada Pinkett Smith has clearly found the jewels that work for her! But have you? At a certain point in our lives, many of us decide to stop buying throw-away fashion trinkets and instead invest in some forever pieces – pieces that reflect who we are and who we want to become.
The earth has given us a plethora of stunning gemstones to choose from, but where should you start? Here are three tips to start you off on the quest for your perfect gemstone.
1. Wardrobe
Open up your wardrobe and have a good look inside. What’s your style? Classic and chic types look classy in an understated single diamond or cool blue aquamarine. Lovers of eclectic fashion could carry off a flashing opal or an unusual gem like alexandrite, which appears to change colour in different lights.
If your rails are full of feminine frills, pale pink morganite or a padparadscha sapphire, could be just the gem for you.
2. Skin tone and hair colour
You’ve probably worked out which shades suit your colouring and have built up your wardrobe accordingly. Fewer people apply this to their gemstones, though. Acid brights such as citrine and peridot look incredible against dark black skin, but can make pale white skin look sickly. Green gems like emerald, green topaz and green tourmaline are terrific on redheads. And iridescent rainbow moonstone looks out of this world against any skin colour.
3. Everyday or occasion wear?
When do you wear jewellery and what kind of jewellery is it? Rings and bracelets are liable to hard knocks, especially if you wear them regularly. For everyday jewellery, you need gems that resist chips and scratches.
Diamond, ruby and sapphire are the three hardest gemstones, but topaz is also durable and occurs in a wide range of colours. For occasion wear, shorter earrings and necklaces that are less likely to catch on outfits are helpful, and you can dare to wear a softer stone like opal or moonstone. Just be careful that any pendants don’t slip off the necklace chain and onto a hard floor!
Kim Rix
The Gemstone Detective