Choosing Jewelry that Looks Good on You

If you decide you want a custom-design engagement ring, you'll want to think a bit about how to choose jewelry that looks good on YOU, right? Here are some tips:

How to Select the Most Flattering Jewelry Styles

For thousands of years women (and men) have enjoyed adorning themselves with jewelry. Whether made of wood, wool, metal or stone, jewelry’s primary purpose was to create a desired appearance.

Regardless of whether you are looking for jewelry for daily wear or to complement formal attire, you want it to draw attention to your best features or possibly camouflage less desirable areas. Here are some guidelines to help you with your selection.

NECKLACE

Are you tall? Average? Petite? Your choice of necklace can minimize or emphasize your size. To create or emphasize a taller appearance, choose longer necklaces and V-shapes. A necklace that falls past the bustline but above the waist will elongate, while a choker style or shorter U-shaped necklace resting on the breast bone will shorten your appearance.

The size of your necklace should also be considered. Fuller figures can complement their proportions with larger, chunkier pieces that might overwhelm an individual with a smaller frame.

EARRINGS

Face shape (oval, rectangle, heart or square) is important when selecting earrings.

Individuals with an oval face shape can wear any style while other people should look for styles that contrast their face shape. Selecting a hoop or button style for a round face would only emphasize the round shape. Square or long shapes will de-emphasize a round face.

The same is true with other face shapes; a long, rectangular face should stay away from long, dangling earrings and choose smaller studs instead. Square faces need the softness of round or hoop earrings and heart shaped faces are complemented with triangular shapes with a wide base that contrasts a narrow chin.

BRACELETS AND RINGS

Do you move your hands a lot while talking? Then select the jewelry on your hands just as carefully as that near your face.

The guidelines for bracelets and rings is similar to that for necklaces. Women of average build and height will find a wide bracelet most complimentary. Petite women should look for more delicate pieces. Bigger women should layer small bracelets or choose something more substantial, avoiding very delicate pieces that can look lost.

When selecting rings make sure that the setting doesn't cover your knuckle, which can make fingers look short, as well as being uncomfortable. Shorter fingers benefit from oval settings while longer fingers look best with wide bands or simple, round settings.

CHOOSING WHAT YOU LOVE

Use these general guidelines to help you select flattering jewelry. However, remember above all to select jewelry you love to wear. Jewelry lasts a lifetime, so ultimately make a decision based on what makes you FEEL wonderful.