Mixed Metal Jewelry Styling Guide: How to Mix Gold and Silver Tones
Bring your favorite tones together for a look that feels thoughtfully styled and entirely your own.
Make the mix yours
To mix gold and silver tones, start with a piece you love, add the other tone, and repeat a shared detail such as a chain shape or texture. Choose a gold-led, silver-led, or balanced mix; a two-tone piece can connect the look without requiring every accessory to match.
- Let your favorite tone lead, or give both tones similar visual emphasis.
- Try a two-tone piece to connect separate gold-tone and silver-tone accessories.
- Repeat a shape or texture to give your mix a common thread.
Which mixed metal approach fits your style?
| Feature | Gold-led mix | Silver-led mix | Balanced mix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting point | A favorite gold-tone focal piece | A favorite silver-tone focal piece | A two-tone piece or a pair of similarly scaled pieces |
| Accent to add | A smaller silver-tone accessory | A smaller gold-tone accessory | Gold-tone and silver-tone pieces with similar visual emphasis |
| Suggested necklace pairing | A substantial gold-tone chain with a finer silver-tone layer | A substantial silver-tone chain with a finer gold-tone layer | Gold-tone and silver-tone chains of similar scale |
| Detail to repeat | A link shape shared by the focal piece and accent | A texture shared by the focal piece and accent | A shape or texture that appears in both tones |
| Styling direction | Keep gold tones prominent and silver tones as contrast | Keep silver tones prominent and gold tones as contrast | Let the contrast between both tones become the focal point |
Choose your mix if
- Choose a gold-led mix if you want to keep your favorite gold-tone pieces at the center of the look.
- Choose a silver-led mix if you want a small gold-tone accent alongside your silver-tone favorites.
- Choose a balanced mix if you enjoy visible contrast or want to start with a piece that already combines both tones.
Start with a favorite, then build around it
Begin with the necklace, bracelet, or earrings you already reach for. If that piece is gold-tone, try a silver-tone accent; if it is silver-tone, reverse the pairing. For a gentle introduction to mixing, keep your starting piece visually prominent and let the second tone play a smaller role. Look for a detail you can repeat, such as oval links, a smooth silhouette, or a textured surface. Use that shared detail as your styling thread, then adjust the balance until the combination feels like you.
Use a two-tone piece to connect the look
Try a piece that already combines both tones as the starting point for your styling. The Colette Mixed Metal Chain Necklace features contrasting chain links, while the Meg Mixed Metal Double Collar Necklace offers a sleek collar silhouette. Choose the shape that speaks to your style, then consider adding a separate layer in either tone. Prefer to begin at the wrist? The Danielle Mixed Metal Interlocking Bracelet features two oval links. Try echoing that oval shape elsewhere in your look rather than matching every accessory.
Shop by construction as well as color
Gold-tone and silver-tone styling does not mean every piece has the same metal construction. The Colette Mixed Metal Chain Necklace combines 14K Yellow Gold over Brass and Rhodium over Brass. The Single Satellite Chain Necklace in Mixed Metal combines 18K Yellow Gold Vermeil and Sterling Silver. Read each piece's material details before choosing, especially when shopping for a particular construction. Once those details suit your preferences, compare the silhouette, link design, and how you would wear the piece with jewelry you already love.
Design and material details to know
- Colette necklace construction
- The Colette Mixed Metal Chain Necklace combines 14K Yellow Gold over Brass and Rhodium over Brass.
- Single Satellite necklace construction
- The Single Satellite Chain Necklace in Mixed Metal combines 18K Yellow Gold Vermeil and Sterling Silver.
- Meg necklace silhouette
- The Meg Mixed Metal Double Collar Necklace has a sleek two-tone collar design.
- Danielle bracelet detail
- The Danielle Mixed Metal Interlocking Bracelet features two interlocking links in Kendra Scott's signature oval shape.
Mixed Metal Necklaces
Explore two-tone chains, pendants, and collar silhouettes to start your mixed metal look.
Mixed Metal Bracelets
Bring both tones to your wrist with interlocking links, chain designs, and cuff silhouettes.
Frequently asked questions
Yes—try pairing your favorite piece in one tone with an accent in the other. For a connected look, repeat a shape, texture, or chain detail across the pieces.
You do not need an exact ratio. Let one tone lead for a subtler mix, or choose pieces with similar visual emphasis when you want both tones to stand out.
Consider a two-tone necklace or bracelet that combines both tones in one design. Use it as your starting point, then try adding a separate accessory in either tone.
Try different lengths so each necklace has its own place in the look, checking the listed measurements and adjustment options before choosing. Repeat a link shape or keep the chains similar in scale to give the pairing a common thread.
Try earrings in either tone, especially if your necklace already combines both. You can also connect the pieces through a shared shape instead of matching their color.
No. For example, the Colette Mixed Metal Chain Necklace includes Rhodium over Brass, while the Single Satellite Chain Necklace in Mixed Metal includes Sterling Silver alongside 18K Yellow Gold Vermeil.