It’s Time To Swap Gold Out For Silver Jewellery

After years as stalwart gold jewellery devotees, it’s time to try the metal’s subtler, sleeker sister: silver.

Not since skinny jeans’ much-publicised demise have we felt so torn by a sartorial shift, but after seasons of hints on and off the runway, we’re willing to try and swap out at least some of our gold for silver.

And we aren’t the only ones, Depop has informed us that searches for silver jewellery have been increasing 300{a0ae49ae04129c4068d784f4a35ae39a7b56de88307d03cceed9a41caec42547} month on month, with searches for ‘silver earrings’ up 58.5{a0ae49ae04129c4068d784f4a35ae39a7b56de88307d03cceed9a41caec42547} and ‘silver necklace’ up 39{a0ae49ae04129c4068d784f4a35ae39a7b56de88307d03cceed9a41caec42547}.

Ever ahead of the curve, influencer and jewellery stacker extraordinaire Lucy Williams introduced silver into her sellout (and typically all gold) Missoma collection back in October of last year. ‘I’ll always love gold jewellery, but silver is definitely winning for me currently,’ Williams explained to ELLE UK. ‘Maybe it’s fashion’s preoccupation with Noughties style, or maybe it’s that it’s a bit more subdued than gold, which feels appealing right now…To me silver is a bit less glam, but has a bit more grit than gold, and I feel like that is very 2023.’

Less glam and more grit certainly does feel very 2023 to us, in fact, we think it’s the lack of flash that has everyone drawn to silver in the first place.

Jeremy Moeller//Getty Images

As the internet won’t stop mentioning (us included), this year’s biggest fashion trend has to be ‘quiet luxury’ (also known as ‘stealth wealth’ or even ‘recessioncore’) which does what it says on the tin – focusses on high-quality, minimalist items that exude affluence only to the trained eye. And while, of course, gold jewellery has its place in the trend, it is silver cuffs, simple chains and organic-shaped earrings that are the perfect match.

On the runway, a major trailblazer of the silver jewellery resurgence has been Bottega Veneta, particularly their oversized silver drop earrings (a favourite of Kylie Jenner) which feel both sculptural and organic in their shape. As do Elsa Peretti’s timeless creations for Tiffany & Co., specifically her iconic Bone Cuff, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Bottega Veneta AW23

Daniele Oberrauch//LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT

But, even if we’re sold on introducing silver back onto our lobes, clavicles and carpus (that means wrists), what about the engagement ring already sitting pretty on our third finger, or family heirloom locket, both bold, gold and not going anywhere? Thankfully, mixing metals is very much in.

‘Mixing metals and jewellery styles is a great way to wear special, sentimental pieces alongside new season styles,’ Tanika Wisdom, Buyer at MATCHESFASHION confirmed. ‘We have also noticed designers mixing silver, rose and yellow golds on the same piece, from Jacquie Aiche’s reimagined rose gold and stainless steel watch to Lauren Rubinski’s trinity Rope gold and rose gold bracelet and EÉRA’s silver bracelet with gold clasp. It is really easy way to experiment with the trend.’

‘You just have to look at beautiful vintage watches to see that mixing metals can look great,’ Williams agreed. ‘I think mixing metals with layered bracelets and chains on your wrist is the easiest way to mix metals because it can feel a bit more thrown-on and collected. I also like to include individual pieces that mix metals rather than just stacking pieces of different metals together. They help tie it all together.’

So, whether we’re quite ready to ditch all our gold and go for silver, or simply introduce some more silver pieces into our jewellery rotation, it’s clear silver isn’t second best any longer.