Brace yourselves, folks! 

We're gearing up to plunge into a classic debate that's scratched our heads for ages. 

Gold or Silver?

Choosing between gold and silver isn't as easy as choosing between Swedish Fish and Twinkies (not that easy, come to think of it!) —it says everything about your style, spellbinding personality, and the beats of your day-to-day life.

This isn't your run-of-the-mill blog post—this is your roadmap, guiding you through the shiny, sometimes confusing terrain of jewelry choices.

What Is Your Skin’s Undertone?

When choosing either gold or silver, the first piece of your puzzle might just be hiding under your skin – quite literally! 

We all have a specific undertone to our skin, a subtle hue that sits below the surface and acts as the base of our complexion.

Imagine it as the canvas that your skin's masterpiece is painted!

Now, this isn't about whether your skin is fair, medium, or dark. 

We're discussing the difference between cool, warm, and neutral undertones. 

Knowing your undertone can be a game-changer in deciding everything from makeup to clothes and jewelry!

Cold: Silver Is Your Friend

If you've got a cool undertone, your skin might have a slight blue or rosy tint. Under natural light, the veins on your wrists might look blue or purple. 

Have you ever felt like you shine brighter in blue, green, or purple hues? 

You, my friend, are the cool kid on the block; Silver is your soulmate! 

Silver jewelry complements cool undertones beautifully, enhancing your natural glow and giving you an ethereal radiance.

Warm: Gold Is Your Go-to

If you've got a warm undertone, your skin might have a golden or apricot hue.

Your veins might look greenish under natural light, and earthy tones like red, orange, and yellow make you look dazzling. 

You're the sunny soul of the party, and gold is your perfect partner in shine.

Gold jewelry radiates warmth and richness against your skin, highlighting your natural warmth and adding that extra sparkle to your personality.

Determining Your Skin Tone

Let's clear up a little mystery – how to determine your skin's undertone.  

What color are the veins on your wrists?

Take a peek at your wrists under natural light.

They're not just delivering vital nutrients around your body; they're about to unlock the secret of your undertone.

Blue/Purple - You’re Cooler Than You Think!

If your veins are primarily blue or purple, it's time to celebrate – you're part of the cool squad!

This indicates a cool undertone to your skin. 

It's as if you have a subtle blue filter applied to your skin, giving it a slightly rosy, crisp undertone. 

And guess what? 

Silver jewelry is your BFF.

It pairs magnificently with your cool undertone, bringing out your natural luminosity and complementing your unique glow.

Yellow/Green - Warm It Up!

If you see more of a green or yellow tint to your veins, it's like Mother Nature painted your skin with a warm, golden brush. 

This suggests you have a warm undertone. You might find that earthy shades make you shine bright like a sunflower in full bloom. 

To accentuate this warmth, nothing works better than the richness of gold jewelry. It's like adding that golden hour filter to your life, making your natural warmth stand out even more!

Do You Tan Easily?

Another clue on your quest to discover your skin's undertone lies in your interaction with how well you tan.

The question is, when you spend time basking under its warm rays, does your skin tend to tan easily, or do you more often turn into a blushing tomato?

Tan Well? - You're On The Warm Side!

If you're one of the luckier ones and your skin tans easily and rarely burns, you can pop the champagne - your undertone is warm! 

This means your skin has a peachy, golden, or yellow cast, making you the perfect partner for gold jewelry. 

Whether it's a delicate chain, statement earrings, or an engagement ring, the magic of gold is bound to be your secret weapon for that perfect summer glow.

Struggle To Tan? - Join The Cool Crew!

If your skin doesn't tan easily and you reach for the aloe vera more often than not, welcome to the cool club! 

This suggests a blueish or pinkish cast to your skin. And guess what shines brighter than a lighthouse against cool undertones? 

Silver jewelry! 

Whether you're dressing up for a date night or running errands around town, a touch of silver will surely give your look an instant upgrade.

What Is Your Hair Color?

You might be surprised to hear this, but your hair color can also give a useful hint to your skin's undertone. You've spent all that time grooming it; let's make it work for you!

Light Brown to Very Blonde Hair - You're Cool and Classy!

You're cool-toned if your hair falls under the light brown or very blonde category. 

Silver is your spirit metal, and the shimmer it gives when kissed by the light perfectly complements the coolness of your hair. So go ahead, add some silver sizzle to your style!

Dark Brown to Black Hair - Warm Up To Gold!

You're likely warm-toned if you're rocking dark brown or black locks. 

The rich and lustrous hue of gold is your perfect match. It's like a fireside chat on a cold winter night, full of warmth and comfort. 

So embrace your warm undertones and let gold jewelry add a spark to your natural radiance. You're a golden goddess, after all!

You Can Also Ignore Skin Undertones All Together!

Now, before you feel overwhelmed by the symphony of skin tones, hair colors, and suntans, let's take a step back and share a liberating secret - you don't have to stick to the undertone rule book! 

When it comes to fashion and style, sometimes it's about painting outside the lines and letting your personal taste take the lead. 

Match Your Jewelry To Your Makeup

One delightful way to choose between gold and silver is to play matchmaker with your makeup! 

If you're going for a warm, bronzed look with corals, golds, or warm neutrals, a piece of golden jewelry will tie the look together like a bow on a gift. 

Imagine a sun-kissed you, bronzer perfectly highlighting those cheekbones, lips sporting a soft coral, and a pair of golden hoops framing your face.

On the other hand, if you're reaching for cooler tones like blues, purples, or pinks, silver is your partner in shine. 

Think cool gray eyeshadow, a sweep of plum blush, and a statement silver pendant nestling against your skin.

If that doesn't scream sophistication, I don't know what does!

Match Your Jewelry To Your Outfit

Another way to break free from the undertone guidance is to consider your outfit. 

Who says your jewelry can't be a chameleon, shifting and adapting to your wardrobe choices?

If you're slipping into an outfit with warm hues—think fiery reds, rich oranges, or sunny yellows—then gold jewelry is your loyal comrade.

It will elevate your look, ensuring you make heads turn (in a good way, of course).

Alternatively, if your ensemble leans towards the cooler side of the color wheel—think blues, greens, or purples—silver jewelry can bring a touch of chill sophistication to your look.

It's your shiny knight in armor, ready to make your outfit complete.

You know what? Rules are meant to be broken sometimes!

And when it comes to style, you're the artist.

The world is your canvas.

So go ahead, paint your masterpiece!

The Midas Touch or the Lunar Luster: Your Choice, Your Shine!

At the end of the day, whether you're on team Midas Touch (hello, gold lovers) or swaying towards Lunar Luster (shoutout to the silver aficionados), remember it's all about you. 

Your jewelry should be an extension of your personality, a shiny cherry on top of your style cake, and a glittery testament to your unique narrative.

The magic of gold or silver is not in following the beaten path of undertones, hair colors, or sun-tanning tendencies.

It's in pairing a golden necklace with your fiery red dress or letting a silver ring dance along with your cool-toned eyeshadow. 

Jewelry is a conversation starter, a confidence booster, and an accessory that adds a spark to the ordinary.

And at Ben Garelick, we're all about fueling your passion for shiny things. 

Why not pay a visit to our Ben Garelick showroom for a gold-and-silver adventure? 

Our gem gurus are also available online to chat and help you navigate the shimmering sea of jewelry choices.

Now, let's turn that twinkle in your eye into a radiant piece of Ben Garelick jewelry. 

See you soon, sparkle lovers!

Peter Manka Jr. - Owner at Ben Garelick

Peter Manka Jr. is a passionate member of the family business who joined Ben Garelick in the early 2000s after working in product licensing for Sesame Workshop & The Jim Henson Company for many years. He obtained a degree in diamonds and jewelry from the prestigious Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in order to sharpen his jewelry skills. He takes great pride in providing exceptional customer service and helping clients find the perfect piece of jewelry.