The Power of Colour: Gemstones That Transform Your Look
Colour is the first impression your jewellery makes. The right gemstone shade can brighten your features, shift the mood of an outfit, and make your style feel intentional. At Joanna Salmond Jewellery, each piece is thoughtfully handcrafted in Dunedin with sterling silver, gold vermeil, and semi-precious stones, so colour always feels wearable, from weekday to weekend.
Colour as Your Styling Tool
Think of gemstones as the final brushstroke. Neutral outfits become a canvas for saturated stones, while patterned looks are anchored by a single, solid colour. If you dress in minimalist tones (ivory, charcoal, navy), a signature gemstone hue adds personality without noise.
- Minimal wardrobe? Add one vivid stone to define your look. Try a refined pair from the Earrings collection.
- Prints and patterns? Ground them with a single-colour pendant from Necklaces.
- Monochrome outfits? Let colour pop in a slim bracelet from Bracelets.
Warm & Cool Harmony
Many people enjoy the balance they get when jewellery echoes their undertone:
- Warm: golden metals with sunlit stones (citrine, garnet, carnelian, red chalcedony).
- Cool: sterling silver with sea-and-sky tones (aquamarine, amethyst, sapphire).
It’s not about perfect matching, it’s about creating a calm echo that flatters your complexion.
What Gemstones Whisper
Use gemstone “moods” as gentle styling cues:
- Amethyst (purple): creative calm; ideal for workwear neutrals.
- Aquamarine (blue): clarity and ease; beautiful with denim and linen.
- Emerald & green stones: freshness and balance; elegant with creams and camel.
- Ruby & red chalcedony: joy and presence; lift white shirts and evening looks.
- Citrine (yellow): optimism; brightens black and grey instantly.
- Onyx (black): structure; adds polish to floaty fabrics.
- Pearl: soft light; a modern neutral that flatters every wardrobe.
Discover house favourites like pearls and onyx across Earrings, Necklaces, and Bracelets, or explore the dedicated Pearl Collection and Onyx Collection.
Colour Strategies for Real Wardrobes
1) Your Everyday Uniform
Jeans, tee, blazer? Keep it simple: choose one colour family and repeat it across earrings and a bracelet. Aquamarine or amethyst offers subtle polish; onyx provides clean definition. Try a streamlined piece from Earrings with a coordinating bracelet from Bracelets.
2) Day-to-Night Ease
Pick a mid-sized colour earring that works with flats at 10am and heels at 7pm, think ruby or emerald tones. A simple pearl pendant keeps it refined. Browse Earrings and layer with Necklaces.
3) Monochrome Dressing
With black, ivory, or navy, decide if you want contrast or glow. For a bold statement, choose a saturated gemstone; for softness, reach for pearls from the Pearl Collection.
4) Patterned Prints
Let one gemstone colour “anchor” the pattern, keep the neckline clean and let drop earrings carry the story. See the full range in Earrings.
Mixing Metals with Colour
Mixing silver and gold feels contemporary and practical. If your wardrobe skews warm (beige, tan, rust), lead with gold vermeil; if it skews cool (grey, navy, white), lead with sterling silver. Introduce the second metal in a single piece, such as a slim bracelet from Silver Ring Bracelets, to keep things relaxed rather than matchy.
Pearls: The Ultimate Neutral
Pearls act like soft light on the face and blend seamlessly with gemstones. For modern silhouettes that pair with knits, tailoring, and dresses, explore the Pearl Collection and Pearl Bracelets.
Build a Small Colour Capsule
- Light-lift piece: pearl studs or delicate drops from Earrings.
- Anchor: a clean onyx bracelet from Bracelets or the Onyx Collection.
- Statement hue: your favourite gemstone in a pendant from Necklaces.
Care That Keeps Colour Luminous
- Put jewellery on last, take it off first.
- Wipe gently with a soft cloth after wear and store pieces separately.
- Avoid perfumes and harsh chemicals directly on stones; keep pearls away from prolonged moisture.
In the end, the most transformative colour is the one that makes you feel like yourself—calm, confident, and ready. Explore more in Collections.