Gold vs. Silver Jewelry: What Looks Best on Your Skin Tone & Why

Looking to buy a personalized name necklace but can’t decide between gold or silver? You're not alone. Choosing the right metal isn't just about personal taste—it can highlight your natural features and elevate your style when matched to your skin tone and undertone.

While many people already have a personal preference, others may be less decisive. To help your decision-making process, you should look at your skin tone and undertone. Let’s break down how to choose the right metal for your complexion—plus some pro tips to make your jewelry work for you, not against you.

Difference Between Skin Tones and Undertones

Your skin tone refers to the color or shade of your skin based on its melanin (skin pigment) content. Undertone is the hue from the under layers of the skin, which subtly affects the outer skin's color or tone.

Your skin tone changes according to your exposure to the sun, but your skin undertone stays the same throughout your life.

Types of Skin Tones

There are four broad skin tone categories:

• Fair Fair skin is very light and sensitive to the sun. Typically, people with blond or red hair have fair skin.
• Light Light skin is slightly darker than fair skin and also tends to burn quickly in the sun.
• Medium Medium skin tones are often described as "olive" skin tones. Not only are they darker than the previous two, but they are also less red and tan well.
• Deep or Dark These are the darkest skin tones and can vary from brown to very dark. People with this skin tone almost always have dark brown to black hair and brown eyes.

Types of Skin Undertones

Undertone is the subtle hue beneath your skin. It never changes and is the key to choosing the most flattering jewelry:

• Warm undertone You have warm undertones if your skin has golden, peachy, or yellow underlying colors.
• Cool Undertone You have a cool undertone when your skin has hints of blue or pink tones.
• Neutral Undertone Having a neutral undertone means that you have both cool and warm undertones, or your undertone is the same color as your actual skin color.

How to Determine Your Skin Tone

Your skin tone is much easier to identify than your undertone, and you'll probably already have a good idea of what it is.

You can use your skin's reaction to the sun as an indicator if you're not sure. Fairer skin types tend to burn or turn pink quickly, and olive and darker tones tan well rather than turning red or burning.

How to Determine Your Skin Undertone

1. Conduct a Light Test

The easiest way to determine your skin undertone is by doing the "light test." For this, you simply use a light or flashlight and shine it over the veins in your wrist.

Look at your wrist:

• Blue or purple veins? You’re cool-toned.

• Green or olive veins? You’re warm-toned.

• Find it hard to see your vains? Likely neutral.

2. Consider the Color of Your Eyes and Hair

People with green, blue, or gray eyes and blond, brown, or black hair typically have cool undertones. On the other hand, people with hazel, brown, or amber eyes and black, strawberry blond, or red hair will typically have warm undertones.

3. The Jewelry Test

Try both metals:

• Silver brightens cool tones.

• Gold warms up warm tones.

• Neutral tones look radiant in both.

Is Gold or Silver Better for Your Skin Tone and Undertone?

It's best to keep both your skin tone and skin undertone in mind when choosing between silver and gold for your name necklace.

Gold Jewelry Works Best If:

• You have warm undertones.

• Your eyes are amber, hazel, or dark brown.

• Your hair has red, honey, or golden undertones.

• You wear warm clothes like terracotta, camel, or olive.

Why it works: Gold complements yellow undertones and gives your skin a radiant, sun-kissed glow.

💡 Theo Grace Tip: Try Name Necklaces in Gold for a soft, warm statement.



Those with neutral skin undertones are lucky—they can opt for silver or gold name necklaces. These will commonly be people with olive or Mediterranean skin types. If you fall into this category, consider what color clothes you gravitate toward, as this can help you choose between gold and silver.

Silver Jewelry Works Best If:

• You have cool undertones.

• Your skin burns before tanning.

• Your eyes are blue, grey, or light green.

• Your hair is ash blond, platinum, or black with no red.

Why it works: Silver accentuates cool tones, reducing redness and creating a clean, elegant contrast.

💡 Theo Grace Tip: Name Necklaces in Sterling Silver enhances a crisp, cool palette.



Rose Gold: The Wild Card

You might be wondering about rose gold name necklaces. Almost anyone can wear rose gold jewelry, regardless of skin tone and undertone, due to its softer and more subtle pink hue.

Rose gold’s soft pink hue complements most skin tones—but especially shines on:

• Neutral undertones.

• Olive skin.

• People who wear both warm and cool colors.

Caution: If you have cool undertones with lots of redness, rose gold may highlight it too much.



If you're still uncertain, you can always consider mixing your metals, which is currently trending.

Beyond Skin: What Do Your Preferences Say About You?

Team Gold? You likely love bold, expressive fashion and warm tones. Team Silver? You’re drawn to classic elegance and cool minimalism. Both? You’re versatile and balanced—just like your undertones.

Your Opinion and Preferences Matter Too

This article is only meant to be a guideline to help you choose between gold and silver. Ultimately, what matters most is that you are comfortable with what you wear and feel good wearing your name necklace in your chosen metal.

A name necklace represents your identity, so wear your jewelry with confidence, knowing it's a statement of your personal style!