Jewellery styling is an essential skill every woman should have, especially working women who must strategically blend fashion with feasibility and find appropriate jewellery for work. This requires a deep understanding of what jewellery suits you, as well as the norms of office wear jewellery. There are several different types of jewellery, and it’s up to you to pick the right one for yourself. 9K gold jewellery and lab grown diamond jewellery have broadened the options drastically but also complicated the selection process.
This blog acts as a guide for new interns, professional beginners, and women looking to revamp their office jewellery.
What Makes Work Jewellery Different?
The work environment is different, and unlike other types of trending jewellery, there’s no place for fashion jewellery in the workplace.
This means professional women must plan their jewellery in a specific manner to fulfil their fashion requirements and remain within the rules of office wear accessories.
There are certain unspoken rules about professional jewellery, and if you’re aware of them, making them is a rookie mistake!
These jewellery pieces ought to be light, wearable, and not distracting, enabling you to pass the day while wearing them.
Components utilised in making these pieces also matter, making the decision-making process crucial.
Trending Office Jewellery for Women
Office-wear jewellery in India is mostly made of silver, gold, or metal alloys, and it’s up to you to choose the right metal. This selection has recently expanded, with additional options in metal, design, and style.
9 Karat Gold and 14 Karat Gold
The introduction and popularisation of different gold purities have created a whole new world of work jewellery, and Indian women are taking an instant liking to it.
Featuring an affordable-luxury feel, 9K, 14K, and 18K gold jewellery is steadily becoming more accessible, and its design inspiration is also undergoing drastic changes to suit the requirements of modern working women.
Fine Jewellery but With Diamonds
Fine jewellery as we know it is changing; different metals, finishes, and the use of sustainably created lab grown diamonds are making fine jewellery a possibility for every working professional to use.
This type of jewellery will naturally appeal to all women seeking simple yet valuable pieces that never go out of style or break easily.
Plus, it aligns well with women who are conscious of where their diamonds come from and the environmental impact of their preferences.
Plain, Classy Gold Jewellery
For women seeking lightweight jewellery, going the plain and classy route is always the right call. The effortless pieces do the styling themselves; you don’t have to think hard about matching them up. They go with everything!
Such pieces are a must-have in every woman’s jewellery collection, allowing for quick accessorising before work.
Modernised Mangalsutras
The mangalsutra is a culturally significant piece of jewellery, and there’s no way to ignore wearing it, and women aren’t because of all the modern mangalsutra designs available.
These designs have been created to meet the needs of women working in modern workplaces.
Confidence Exuding Jewellery
For women who suffer from low workplace confidence, wearing bold jewellery can help them feel better. Rose gold jewellery, yellow gold, and pure silver all fit a minimalist jewellery theme that helps a woman feel confident.
When women feel more confident, it’s visible all around here!
Jewellery Layering
The concept of jewellery laying isn’t that new, and now it’s become a style that’s donned in the workplace as well. Layering necklaces using simple and classic pieces has been widely adopted, and so has the practice of minimal ring stacking.
If using the right components, this trendy jewellery practice isn’t overdoing it, but rather cleverly using modern jewellery.
Rules of Work Wear Jewellery Styling
Every seasoned jewellery wearer knows there are some unspoken jewellery boundaries that apply in every aspect of life. The workplace is no exception, and some jewellery just shouldn’t ever be worn to the office.
Work Wear Jewellery Do’s
Getting the office jewellery look spot on is a bit of a trial-and-error process, but if you want to get it right faster, follow these tried and tested jewellery guidelines.
1. Keep Your Chains/Necklaces Short
Long necklaces and chains at the office are a menace! Choosing a short chain or necklace and pendant will ensure they don’t tangle up with your ID card or nosily bang against your desk.
2. Make Minimal Earrings a Staple
Busy earrings are an attention-seeking accessory you don’t need. These draw too much attention, and you’re best off wearing a simple and classic pair of solitaire stud earrings, which feature a yellow, white, or rose finish.
3. Live by the “One Statement Piece” Rule
This is a must-follow for women who want to perfect their concept of daily wear jewellery. This jewellery type is famous for one property: its comfort and ability to stay wearable all whole day.
Work Wear Jewellery Don’ts
Jewellery meant for the office should always be comfortable but not too appealing to take the attention away from you. Here are some guidelines to follow to ensure this never happens to you:
1. Avoid Noisy Jewellery
This isn’t a metaphor; noisy office jewellery should be avoided at all costs, especially if you work in a quiet office. The last thing you’ll need is to draw unwanted attention to yourself due to charm bracelets, traditional jhumkas, and multiple overlapping necklaces.
2. Steer Clear of Dangling Elements
Bracelets and bangles with hanging elements will create noise every time your type on you keyboard or use your mouse. Even worse, it will be an obstacle and prevent you from reaching optimal productivity.
3. Don’t Over-Accessorise
This is the simplest mistake newly hired women make, and the phrase “less is more” really does apply here. You should always start with less and add when and if appropriate based on your understanding of your workplace.
Jewellery Styling Based on Profession
Irrespective of profession, jewellery is a mainstay among women from across various corporate levels and industries. Women who are just entering the workforce or making a transition can look to these work jewellery styling tips for help and guidance.
1. Media & PR
Women working in media and public relations (PR) are usually chosen for their personality and appearance, giving them a bit more freedom to choose what jewellery to wear, and they can have some fun!
What Office Jewellery to Wear
Go for jewellery pieces that have personality, even better, pick a piece that matches your fun and energetic persona. This includes colourful necklaces, layered jewellery, and bold, statement-making jewellery pieces.
What Office Jewellery Not to Wear
Stay away from anything that is too bland or characterless as this may send the wrong message about you. Don’t go for plain designs that might come across as boring or too dull for someone of your “creative” bandwidth.
2. Tech & IT
Most IT companies and startups follow a smart-casual to semi-formal theme, and office wear jewellery should follow the same theme. This includes minimalistic and smart jewellery that’s either made from low-purity gold or pure silver.
What Office Jewellery to Wear
If you are opting to go the semi-formal route, go for simple jewellery that isn’t too colourful. Instead, opt for single-tone gold jewellery and make sure it matches the clothing you’ll wear. Beware of over-accessorising and stick to a minimum of one piece.
What Office Jewellery Not to Wear
Don’t even think about using colourful jewellery with semi-formals, and you are better off sticking to modern jewellery, which is naturally minimalistic.
Also, if you’re heading the smart-casual way, avoid traditional jewellery, which looks out of place in most IT offices, especially on the backdrop of casuals.
3. Corporate & Law
The dress code for such professions is strictly formal, and the code for jewellery is even stricter. The jewellery should look premium but not gaudy and overly textured, which could make it appear fake!
What Office Jewellery to Wear
The best office wear jewellery for bankers, lawyers, and senior members of corporate firms consists of gold diamond jewellery, small pearl necklaces, and fine gold jewellery. Mix it up between thin platinum necklaces, chains, and solitaire jewellery.
What Office Jewellery Not to Wear
Avoid falling into the trap of overwhelming jewellery, thinking that it’s professional jewellery. These pieces are overly fashionable and not appropriate for the workplace!
4. Healthcare
Jewellery for healthcare workers is a bit more complicated, and these pieces need to be extremely simple. This is where durability and weight come into use and matter more than appeal or shine.
What Office Jewellery to Wear
Here, the best suggestion would be to go with lightweight jewellery that’s easy to take off and put on as required. That includes 9K daily wear jewellery that’s appealing, durable, and affordable.
What Office Jewellery Not to Wear
Carefully select your jewellery and don’t select jewellery with sharp features, including rings with a high diamond setting, bracelets with protruding elements, and sharp diamond claws.
5. Field Work
Going out on field work comes with its own set of jewellery restrictions. People working in a field job should look for jewellery that isn’t just comfortable, but easy to wear without losing or loosening.
What Office Jewellery to Wear
Select jewellery that fits well and is not too loose or so weak that it could break. Think of it as an opportunity to buy the best daily wear jewellery. These designs are minimally decorated to suit a range of versatility requirements.
What Office Jewellery Not to Wear
The jewellery shouldn’t be loose, or it could fall off or be detached by the smallest of mistakes. Ideal jewellery for field workers should be lightweight and not as shiny as 24K and 22K gold. For this reason, 18K gold jewellery is most suitable for women in fieldwork jobs.
Jewellery for Work That You Can’t Go Wrong With!
Selecting workwear jewellery isn’t a complicated task for some women who know what they want and what works and doesn’t. To help newbies out, here’s a look at jewellery pieces that you can’t go wrong with.
Shades of Gold
Gold naturally has a warm, effortless feel to it, especially when it comes to modern jewellery designs. You can increase the jewellery’s warmth by changing the purity as well. Naturally, rose gold jewellery is the top selection, but other purities also leave a lasting impact in the right finish.
Subtle Yet Simple Solitaire Diamond
Solitaire diamonds are the new favourites, and when selected in smaller sizes (less than 1 carat), they make the perfect addition to your work wear jewellery collection. The best part is you can mix and match to create a full set with the diamond shape (cut) of your choice.
Timeless Pearls
Pearls are a commodity that’s always in fashion and classy, making any workwear look classy. The creative addition of pearls to gold jewellery has made it a compelling, lightweight yet professional jewellery option.
How to Care for Office Wear Jewellery
Jewellery for office wear is usually worn for several hours, and throughout the week, making it prone to damage and tarnishing if not cared for properly. To prevent this from happening to your office wear jewellery, follow these good jewellery care habits:
Clean your jewellery regularly using the appropriate materials and store it away from moisture, sunlight, and corrosive materials.
Although tough, try to keep your make-up, perfume, and other cosmetics away from your work jewellery. Use the “First Off” rule, removing jewellery before applying sanitiser or lotion.
If you really want to get work done in the office, don’t wear thick, chunky bracelets and bangles or long chains/necklaces.
Use the appropriate cleaning materials; avoid harsh cloths that could scratch the jewellery; instead, use a microfiber or muslin cloth.
Pick a jewellery case/organiser with portioned compartments lined with a silky or soft material to keep jewellery untangled and in good nick.
Go to a professional cleaner to get your jewellery cleaned every 6 or so months.
End Note
The ability to perfectly fix up the perfect work look with work jewellery styling is an art that requires years of practice and industry insight.
Women who don’t have the time to find evergreen office and daily wear jewellery can find them in the form of solitaire jewellery, pearl jewellery, gold jewellery (lower purities), minimal jewellery styles, and layered jewellery.
Svaraa offers all these types of jewellery and more, providing a smooth and convenient shopping experience through their e-commerce website.
FAQs
Why does choosing office wear jewellery correctly matter so much?
Jewellery makes a difference to your overall appearance and affects your confidence. Loud, overly decorated jewellery is likely to cause distractions, while minimal, classy jewellery serves as a supporting accessory.
What are some of the trending office jewellery styling options in India?
A few trending office jewellery styling designs include rose gold jewellery, solitaire rings, pearl jewellery, short, layered necklaces, thin necklaces, and 9Kt diamond jewellery.
Is layered jewellery considered professional jewellery?
When done smartly, necklace layering and ring stacking are fine for the workplace. It also depends on the workplace you work in, your specific role, and the dress guidelines in place.
Can I wear rose gold jewellery to the office?
Rose and white gold finishes on jewellery make a suitable choice for the office, and you’ll find them quite warm and comfortable when made from 9K, 14K, or 18K gold.
What are the key rules of picking jewellery for office?
Some of the key rules are to stick to one statement piece, avoid noisy jewellery, avoid over-accessorising, and steer clear of dangling jewellery.