Do you want to turn heads with your jewelry?
Ruby necklaces are in style these days. With the colored gemstone market growing steadily, rubies are quickly becoming the most sought after piece of jewelry out there. Red rubies are taking the world by storm.
The problem is, most people purchase a ruby necklace and then don't know how to style it.
They end up either going too casual or overdressing. In both cases, their beautiful ruby necklace is likely to sit in their jewelry box unused. It's time to put an end to that. Let's take a look at some styling tips that will help you wear your ruby necklace with confidence.
In This Article
- Ruby Necklace Basics
- Outfits That Work With Ruby Necklaces
- Mixing Metals
- Layering Ruby Jewelry
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ruby Necklace Basics
The first thing you need to know is what is so special about rubies.
Rubies are not just red stones, they are one of the most valuable gemstones in the world. With the demand for rubies increasing 12%, it's no surprise more people are discovering their value.
The most important thing to note is this means:
Ruby necklaces are statement pieces. If you are wearing gorgeous ruby necklaces, don't be afraid to let them steal the show. These vibrant gems can be worn with just about any skin tone, making them extremely versatile.
Pair your ruby necklace with an outfit that makes it the star of your look. Once you master this, styling will become a piece of cake.
Outfits That Work With Ruby Necklaces
OK, so what does work?
Ruby necklaces are much easier to style than most people realize. The secret is in knowing which pieces make your necklace stand out without overpowering the entire look.
1. Simple Necklines Work Best
If you want to show off your ruby necklace, go for a simple neckline.
The white button-down shirt is the most common piece of clothing to pair with ruby necklaces. Crew neck sweaters and black turtlenecks work well too. With a simple base like this, your ruby necklace really pops.
In general, you'll want to avoid:
- Busy patterns or embellishments around the neckline area
- Too high of a turtleneck that covers up your jewelry
- Very elaborate or detailed tops
- Deep V-necks (unless you are layering multiple necklaces)
Necklaces in general always look better when the rest of the outfit is more subdued. Simple and clean always wins.
2. Daytime Versus Evening Wear
Rubies can be worn for daytime as well as evening looks. It all depends on how you style them.
A ruby necklace with some jeans and a white tee is a great casual daytime outfit. If you are going for a business casual look, add a simple black dress and you've got a winning look. For daytime, try to keep your other jewelry simple too.
For nighttime, that is where ruby necklaces start to shine.
Pair them with cocktail dresses, elegant evening gowns, or more formal wear. The deep red color of the ruby adds a lot of sophistication. For very formal occasions, you can wear the ruby necklace by itself as the centerpiece of your look.
Mixing Metals
Here is one big mistake that most people make…
You do not have to match your jewelry metals perfectly. In fact, mixing metals is very trendy these days.
If your ruby necklace is set in yellow gold, that does not mean you have to wear all yellow gold jewelry. Try mixing gold-set rubies with silver or rose gold pieces. The contrast will actually make each piece stand out more.
But remember to not go too crazy with it. Use no more than two or three different metal colors at a time. Anything more and your look starts to look cluttered and messy fast.
The ruby is the focal point, the metal setting is the frame. Feel free to mix and match different metals to find what you like best.
Layering Ruby Jewelry
This is where things start to get really fun.
If you own more than one ruby jewelry piece, try layering them. But there are some right and wrong ways to do it.
1. Layering Ruby Necklaces
The best way to layer your ruby necklaces is to start with the longest one first. Your ruby statement piece should usually be your shortest or most prominent piece. This creates a natural cascading effect that people will be drawn to.
Here are a few tips for spacing:
- Leave 2-3 inches in between each piece
- Use a wider range of lengths
- Keep the ruby necklace as the main focal point
- Use thinner chains for additional layers
One big mistake people make is choosing necklaces that are too similar in length. They will tangle up and look messy instead of intentional.
2. Combining Rubies With Other Gemstones
This is where a lot of people get stuck…
Can you mix rubies with other colored gemstones? Yes! But you have to do it the right way.
Rubies go very well with diamonds, pearls, and sapphires. Keep in mind, when mixing gemstones, one piece should be the dominant color. If your ruby necklace is the star, keep the other gemstones you wear more subtle.
Try not to mix rubies with gemstones that are too close in color. Like garnets or red spinels. The two colors will clash and rarely ever look intentional.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I know, I know. We just listed some ways to wear rubies but now we are talking about what not to do. But these are the most common mistakes I see people make that really take away from their jewelry.
1. Over-Accessorizing
The quickest way to ruin a good ruby necklace look is to wear too much jewelry.
When you are wearing a statement ruby necklace, less is always more. Skip the chunky bracelets and dangling earrings. You are better off keeping your other jewelry minimal.
A few simple stud earrings, delicate hoops, a small watch, or a couple of simple rings is all you need. If your ruby necklace is the centerpiece of your outfit, then that's where your focus should be.
The point is to wear your ruby necklace with confidence. Don't let a bunch of other jewelry steal the show.
2. Wrong Occasion
Not all ruby necklaces are meant to be worn the same way.
A delicate ruby pendant is perfect for daily wear but will get lost at a black tie event. On the other hand, a large ruby collar necklace is probably not something you want to wear for a regular day out with friends.
You have to match the scale of your necklace to the formality of the event. Is the necklace set in the right environment? Do the size and presence match the occasion?
3. Forgetting About Your Personal Coloring
This is one of the few things that most styling tips do not mention…
The shade of red in your ruby will look different on different skin tones and hair colors. The deep burgundy rubies look amazing on cool skin tones. Bright red rubies are more eye catching on warm skin.
Try wearing different shades of ruby to see which one makes you feel the most confident.
Let's Put It All Together
Styling ruby necklaces with confidence is not that difficult. In fact, it's really quite simple.
Start with some simple, neutral clothing and just let your rubies be the star of the show. Don't be afraid to mix metals and layer a couple of pieces together. The most important thing is to avoid the common mistakes that make your jewelry look cluttered and unprofessional.
Here is a quick styling checklist for you:
- Simple necklines for maximum visual impact
- Match the necklace to the occasion
- Intentionally mix metals
- Layer with a purpose
- Keep other jewelry minimal
Ruby necklaces are timeless and can be worn in many ways. Whether you are dressing up or dressing down, these pieces will add instant elegance and sophistication. The key is to own it and wear your ruby necklace with confidence.
So go ahead. Dig that ruby necklace out of your jewelry box and start playing around. With the above tips in hand, you will be styling it like a pro in no time.
