This is a good question, and the answer lies in an important insight: identifying your skin’s undertone. This is not about the surface color of your skin, which can change with sun exposure or in different lighting. Instead, it is about the subtle, underlying hue beneath your skin’s surface that determines which colors make you genuinely shine. When a gemstone works well with your unique complexion, it does not just appear attractive; it looks radiant on you.
Why is this so important? Because selecting a gemstone that complements your skin tone is making sure your treasured piece feels truly yours for a lifetime. At Rick Terry Jewelry Designs, with over 30 years of experience, we believe every piece should be as unique as the person wearing it. Our master jewelers are here to assist you through this process, making sure your custom design or repaired piece perfectly enhances your natural beauty.
Identify Your Skin’s Undertone
Before exploring gemstone colors, let’s clarify what your skin’s undertone is. It is the permanent, underlying hue that shows through, regardless of whether your skin is fair, olive, or deep. There are three main categories:
- Warm Undertones: Your skin has a peachy, golden, or yellowish hue.
- Cool Undertones: Your skin has a pink, rosy, or bluish tint.
- Neutral Undertones: Your skin has a balanced mix of both warm and cool hues, or an olive tone.
Ready to find yours? Try these simple, at-home tests:
- The Vein Test: Look at the veins on your wrist in natural, bright light.
- If they appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones.
- If they look greenish, you probably have warm undertones.
- If it is a mix of blue and green, or you cannot quite tell, you are likely neutral.
- The Jewelry Test: Which metal makes your skin look its best?
- Silver or platinum often works well with cool undertones.
- Gold or rose gold typically enhances warm undertones.
- If both look great on you, congratulations, you are likely neutral!
- The White Paper Test: Hold a piece of pure white paper next to your bare face in natural light.
- If your skin appears pink, rosy, or bluish against the white, you have cool undertones.
- If it looks yellow, peachy, or golden, you have warm undertones.
- If it appears olive or a blend, you are likely neutral.
- The Sun Exposure Test: How does your skin react to the sun?
- If you burn easily and rarely tan, you likely have cool undertones.
- If you tan easily and rarely burn, you probably have warm undertones.
Gemstone Colors That Shine on Warm Undertones
If you have warm undertones, your skin has a beautiful, sun-kissed quality. The best gemstones for you will reflect this natural warmth and liveliness.
- Rich Reds & Oranges: Consider deep Garnet, fiery Ruby, sparkling Spessartite Garnet, and radiant Fire Opal. These colors will truly stand out against your skin.
- Golden Yellows: Yellow Sapphire, bright Citrine, and sunny Golden Beryl will beautifully complement your complexion’s natural glow.
- Earthy Greens: Peridot and some Emeralds with a warmer, yellowish tint can also look stunning.
- Warm Pinks: A soft Peach Morganite can add a delicate touch.
Expert Tip: Metals like yellow gold and rose gold are ideal! They beautifully enhance these gemstones and your warm complexion.
Gemstone Colors That Look Stunning on Cool Undertones
For those with cool undertones, your skin has a fresh, luminous quality, often with hints of pink or blue. Gemstones in cooler shades will make your skin look even more alive.
- Bright Blues: Sapphire, Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, and Tanzanite will make your skin appear incredibly luminous.
- Regal Purples: Amethyst and Tanzanite offer a sophisticated touch.
- Cool Greens: Classic Emerald, brilliant Tsavorite Garnet, and serene Jade are excellent selections.
- Soft Pinks: Pink Sapphire and gentle Rose Quartz can add a delicate, flattering hue.
- Classic Whites: You cannot go wrong with the timeless brilliance of Diamonds, White Sapphire, or the soft luster of Pearls.
Expert Tip: White gold, platinum, and silver metals are ideal choices to complement these cool-toned gemstones and your skin.
Gemstone Colors for Neutral Undertones: The Best of Both Worlds
If you have neutral undertones, consider yourself fortunate! Your skin has a balanced mix of both warm and cool hues, or a lovely olive tone.
The great news? Almost any gemstone color will look stunning on you! This adaptability offers incredible freedom in choosing a stone based purely on your personal preference, the meaning it holds for you, or the significance of the occasion. Diamonds, pearls, and a wide range of colored gemstones are all excellent choices.
Expert Tip: You can confidently mix and match metals too – both warm and cool-toned metals will look fantastic!
Crafting Your Perfect Piece
While identifying your undertone is a helpful suggestion, remember that personal preference is most important. The most significant factor is always what you genuinely love and what resonates with you. Your jewelry should reflect your unique style and personality.
Consider these additional factors:
- The Occasion and Meaning: For engagement rings, think about the couple’s story and the symbolism of the stone. For personalized gifts, consider the recipient’s favorite colors and personality.
- Gemstone Durability: For daily wear, like an engagement ring, the hardness and durability of the gemstone are crucial. Our experts can advise on the best choices for your lifestyle.
Get your jewelry a maintenance treatment here!
- The Role of Metal Choice: The metal setting (yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, platinum) greatly influences how a gemstone appears and how it complements your skin. We can help you find the perfect pairing.
Find jewelry for any occassion made by Rick Terry Jewelry Designs here!
Frequently Asked Questions About Gemstone & Skin Tone
Q1: Can I still choose a gemstone color I absolutely love, even if it does not perfectly align with my skin’s undertone?
Absolutely! While identifying your skin’s undertone is a helpful suggestion, personal preference should always be the most important deciding factor. The goal is for you to love and feel confident wearing your jewelry. If you adore a particular gemstone color, our experts at Rick Terry Jewelry Designs can help you find the perfect setting or design elements that make it shine beautifully on you, regardless of undertone “rules.”
Q2: Does my hair color or eye color play a role in selecting the best gemstone?
Yes, while skin undertone is primary, hair and eye color can certainly influence your overall look and how certain gemstones appear. For instance, a blue gemstone might enhance blue eyes, or a warm-toned stone could complement auburn hair. These are secondary considerations that can add an extra layer of personalization, and our jewelers are happy to discuss how they might factor into your custom design.
Q3: What about diamonds? Do they also have undertones, or how do I choose one based on my skin?
Diamonds are unique because their primary value is often in their lack of color (the “colorless” grades D-F). While some diamonds do have faint yellow or brown tints (lower color grades), they do not have “undertones” in the same way skin does. For colorless diamonds, the aim is usually to choose the whitest stone within your budget. For fancy colored diamonds (like pink, blue, or yellow), you would consider their specific hue against your skin tone, similar to other colored gemstones.
