7 of the Most Common Jewelry Styling Mistakes (and How To Avoid Them)

Expressing your personality through your appearance has always been a go-to, especially for those who are a bit shy. Fortunately, stores and brands provide endless clothing styles, and the variety of hair dye colors is virtually limitless.

Piercings and tattoos lend themselves to further personal expression, although these are a bit more permanent than the previously mentioned options.

Another option for self expression that some people may forget to consider is jewelry. There are plenty of different jewelry styles (from traditional to modern, floral to art deco, minimalist to maximalist) which make it easy for you to define your personality.

That said, while we fully encourage you to express yourself, there are some jewelry styling mistakes that should definitely be avoided. Let’s review some of the most common jewelry faux pas, so you can steer clear of them.

1. Too Many Statement Pieces

Statement jewelry is all about standing out—just like the name suggests. Statement pieces are perfect for people who love making bold fashion choices, whether that means wearing bright colors, eye-catching patterns, or unique hairstyles. Some great possibilities include:

• Oversized cocktail rings with colorful gemstones

• Chunky chain necklaces with big pendants

• Dramatic drop earrings

While some people can pull off statement jewelry every day, it’s usually better suited for special occasions. When chosen thoughtfully, a statement piece can be the centerpiece of your outfit. With so many gemstone options available—many featuring bold colors and unique patterns—it’s easy to find a piece that speaks to your style. Statement jewelry lets you express your personality and elevate any outfit.

The important thing to remember about statement jewelry is that it’s best to focus on only one statement piece at a time. If you choose a statement necklace, we recommend you skip earrings and bracelets altogether–or choose very subdued earrings and bracelets. If you have too many statement pieces, the eye doesn’t know where to land and your outfit can look overwhelming. 

2. Ignoring Size

Just as you wouldn’t wear jeans or a t-shirt that are several sizes too small or several sizes too large for you, it’s also important to consider proper sizing for your jewelry. The jewelry you wear should be in proportion to your body. For example, if you have a petite face, it’s best not to overwhelm your look with very heavy earrings that have large gemstones, as it just wouldn’t look proportionate to your features. Now, if you aren’t very petite, it makes sense to choose more statement jewelry pieces to keep things in proportion. Try on different styles and look in the mirror or ask a friend for advice to see what jewelry works best for different parts of your body.

3. Mixing Metal Colors Without A Plan

Yes, mixing metal colors can be beautiful. So many of us have engagement rings that are both rose gold and white gold, or our favorite earrings are a different color metal than our wedding band. And that is okay!

But when you’re mixing metal colors, please do it with some strategy. You wouldn't want to wear rings in several different metal colors and then bracelets in mixed metals as well. It’s best to stick to a maximum of two metal colors at a time, and don’t limit it to just one piece. For example, maybe your ring is a combination of both yellow and white gold, and then your bracelet is white gold and your earrings are yellow gold. Not everything has to match perfectly, but having a theme and some strategy can go a long way. 

4. Not Matching the Jewelry to the Occasion

Going to a black tie wedding and going out for coffee with a friend require two very different outfits, just as they require very different jewelry choices.

There’s no need to pull out your large diamond ring and diamond tennis bracelet for coffee with a friend, but wearing them to a black tie wedding obviously makes sense with the right outfit. Just be sure that the jewelry you select matches the occasion. Be especially mindful of this for job interviews–and other situations where first impressions are very important. In these situations, it’s best to play it safe and keep your jewelry understated. You can always put on the chandelier earrings once you’ve been hired–that is, if it matches your outfit. 

5. Not Paying Attention To Neckline

Some of us don’t love necklaces and that’s okay; it’s definitely a personal preference. But for those of us who do like necklaces, don’t forget to consider your neckline.

If you’re wearing a dress with a high neckline, you don’t want to wear a choker necklace. It’s best to choose a longer chain with a larger pendant in this case. If you have a strapless dress on, as many wedding dresses are these days, wear a necklace that draws the eye towards your collarbone instead of a longer necklace that overlaps the line of the dress.

And if you have on a turtleneck, you can skip the necklace altogether, as there’s no need to complicate the outfit. 

6. Focusing On Trends

Trends come and go so often that it’s difficult to keep up.

Purchasing some costume jewelry that is trendy is totally fine, but investing a large sum into trendy fine jewelry is something you may want to avoid because you’ll likely regret it down the line. In a few years, that trend will be gone and you’ll be stuck with jewelry that you don’t love so much anymore.

Focus on building your jewelry wardrobe with classic pieces that will age well and work well for your style–instead of the style that TikTok tells you is trendy. 

7. Not Caring For Your Jewelry

All jewelry requires upkeep. This includes proper storage, cleaning, and sometimes professional attention or repair. The better you care for your jewelry, the longer it will last.

For example, sterling silver will tarnish over time, but you can polish it at home with a silver polishing cloth or even take it into your local jeweler for a full cleaning. And if your wedding band is too large, please have it professionally sized so it fits you properly, as you want to avoid it being lost or damaged from improper fit. 

Final Thoughts

By avoiding these 7 common jewelry styling mistakes, you can ensure that your accessories enhance your overall look rather than detract from it. Jewelry is a fun mode of self-expression, and when chosen thoughtfully, it can really elevate your outfit. Most importantly, invest in pieces you truly love and take good care of them so they last you a long time and can be passed down to future generations.