The easiest way to choose jewellery that suits your skin tone is to find your undertone first. Warm undertones glow next to warm colours like citrine, vanilla and neapolitan. Cool undertones come alive against lavender and seafoam. Neutral undertones get to wear the whole rainbow. And glossy 18k gold vermeil flatters every single one, which makes it a very happy place to start.
How to find your undertone in 10 seconds
Your undertone is the colour that sits just beneath your skin. It doesn't change with a tan, and it's the key to knowing which colours suit you. Here are three quick checks:
- The vein test. Look at the inside of your wrist in natural light. Blue or purple veins mean cool. Green veins mean warm. A mix of both means neutral.
- The jewellery test. Hold gold against your skin, then silver. If gold makes you glow, you lean warm. If silver suits you better, you lean cool. If both look great, you're neutral.
- The white paper test. Hold a sheet of white paper near your face. Skin that looks yellow or golden is warm. Skin that looks pink or rosy is cool.
Don't overthink it. Most people land somewhere in the middle, and that's good news for wearing colour.
The best jewellery colours for each skin tone
Once you know your undertone, matching colour is simple. Use this quick guide to see which shades will make your skin glow.
| Undertone | How to spot it | Colours that sing | Good Goods picks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm | Green veins, golden skin, suits gold | Citrine, vanilla, neapolitan, warm pastels | Vanilla band, neapolitan pendant, citrine pieces |
| Cool | Blue veins, pink skin, suits silver | Lavender, seafoam, soft blush | Lavender ring, seafoam huggies, rose quartz pieces |
| Neutral | Blue-green veins, both metals suit you | Every colour we make | Whatever makes you smile |
Why gold suits (almost) everyone
Here's the freeing part: warm, glossy gold vermeil looks beautiful on warm, cool and neutral skin. It's rich enough to lift cool undertones and it echoes the glow of warm ones. Every Good Goods piece is handcrafted in 18k gold vermeil over sterling silver, so the metal is doing half the flattering work before you've even chosen a colour. That's why you can happily wear a shade slightly outside your undertone and still look pulled together.
Let colour do the work, not the rules
Undertones are a helpful starting point, not a fence. The whole point of colourful jewellery is joy, and the shade you're drawn to is usually the one that lights you up. If you're warm-toned but adore lavender, wear the lavender. Pair it with gold and it works. Our enamel is made in small batches of 20 in rich, wearable colours, so the confidence comes built in.
How to build a colourful edit around your skin tone
Start with one hero colour in your undertone family, then add a piece or two just because you love them. A warm-toned wardrobe might centre on vanilla and neapolitan, with a citrine stud for good measure. A cool-toned edit could lead with lavender and seafoam, lifted by a blush pendant. Mix metals and colours freely. It always reads as confidence, never as a mistake. For help keeping your colours glossy and bright, see our jewellery care guide.
FAQ
Does gold or silver suit warm skin tones better?
Gold suits warm skin tones best. Warm undertones have a golden glow that gold jewellery echoes and enhances. Gold vermeil is an easy, flattering choice for warm skin.
What jewellery colours suit cool undertones?
Cool undertones suit soft, cool colours like lavender, seafoam and blush. These shades complement pink-toned skin. Set in warm gold vermeil, they look balanced rather than icy.
Can I wear colours outside my undertone?
Yes. Undertones are a guide, not a rule. Gold vermeil bridges warm and cool, so almost any colour can work. Wear the shade that makes you happiest.
What suits a neutral skin tone?
Neutral skin tones suit every colour, from citrine and vanilla to lavender and seafoam. Both gold and silver flatter you, so you have the most freedom of all.
Does gold vermeil suit olive skin?
Yes. Olive skin usually has warm or neutral undertones, and warm gold vermeil looks especially rich against it. Warm colours like citrine and neapolitan are a natural match.
Ready to find your colour? Explore our bestsellers or browse the full necklaces and everything edit. Wear the joy.