For decades, fashion insisted you choose a side: silver for some, gold for others. But this season, the industry’s most stylish players – from royals to red-carpet icons – are uniting the two. Cartier’s century-old Trinity has new heirs in Missoma’s bestselling hoops and Marla Aaron’s playful carabiners, while high-street brands from Zara to M&S are proving you no longer need a Bond Street budget to embrace the look. Mixed metals are no longer an exception – they are the language of modern jewellery.
6 rules for mixed metal jewellery
1. Invest in an icon
Every trend has its talismans, and mixed metal jewellery is no different. Cartier’s Trinity ring, designed in 1924 and famously worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, remains the ultimate reference point. Its three entwined bands – yellow, white and rose gold – remain timeless, proving that mixed metals were never a passing fad. Boucheron’s Quatre and Bulgari’s B.Zero1 bangles echo the same philosophy: that tension between tones can become a design language in itself. Investing in one of these heritage icons instantly grounds your jewellery wardrobe in legacy, making them the perfect starting point for rule-breaking.
2. Use stones and pearls
Mixed metals don’t need to stand alone – gemstones and pearls can act as elegant mediators and bring the whole look together. Diamonds and clear stones offer a neutral bridge between gold and silver, softening the contrast and creating cohesion. Pearls, with their lustrous surface, reflect surrounding tones and make the mix feel deliberate rather than accidental. Coloured stones, too, can add depth: sapphires against silver, emeralds against gold. The key is balance – let a single pearl pendant or diamond-studded hoop draw the metals into harmony. It’s a subtle styling trick that transforms layering into a polished, considered statement.
3. Think like a stylist
Styling mixed metals is not about piling on as much as possible; it’s about layering with intention. Begin with a foundation piece – a slim silver chain, for example – then build upwards with a chunkier gold curb, and finish with a rose-gold pendant for balance. Apply the same rule to rings: stack slim silver and gold bands, then ground the look with a single statement piece. Earrings? Embrace asymmetry: a gold hoop in one ear, a silver stud in the other. The key is balance, not symmetry. “The goal isn’t to match; it’s to create harmony,” as one insider notes.
4. Mix high and low
One of the great joys of the mixed metal moment is its democratic reach. Luxury houses like Cartier and Bulgari refine the craft with architectural precision, while demi-fine labels such as Astley Clarke, Otiumberg and Tilly Sveaas have brought the look firmly into the everyday. Even Zara and Marks & Spencer have entered the conversation with silver-and-gold hybrid chains. “Our customers were already layering silver with gold – we simply celebrated it,” says Lynette Ong of Astley Clarke. This high-low interplay is part of the fun: wear Cartier with high street, Marla Aaron with M&S, and let the contrast speak.
5. Let one piece lead
While layering is endlessly stylish, there’s power in restraint. Some mixed metal pieces are designed to stand alone – Marla Aaron’s carabiner necklaces, Missoma’s Entwine hoops, or the Cartier Trinity ring. They’re statement-makers that need no supporting act. “Individuality is everywhere – mixing metals is just an extension of that,” Aaron says of her designs. To highlight such a piece, keep the rest of your jewellery minimal and let the hero item shine. It’s proof that mixing metals doesn’t always require abundance – sometimes, one perfectly conceived design is enough to do the work.
6. Experiment!
Ultimately, the new rules are about dismantling old ones. A silver engagement ring next to a gold wedding band? Stylish. A platinum watch paired with layered gold bangles? Modern. A forgotten piece from the back of your jewellery box revived alongside your latest acquisition? Perfect. As one jeweller notes: “The mix of metals opens up so many styling options, freedom of expression and allows you to wear all your favourite jewellery at once.” The beauty of mixed metals lies in rewriting the book entirely – because when it comes to jewellery in 2025, there are no mistakes.
Shop our edit of mixed metal jewellery
When investing in mixed metal jewellery, focus on craftsmanship and balance. Quality indicators include seamless joins between metals, consistent finishing, and hallmarks confirming gold or sterling silver content – avoid pieces where plating looks patchy or overly thin. Classics such as Cartier’s Trinity or Bulgari’s B.Zero1 prove that simple, architectural design outlives passing trends. Look for versatile staples – two-tone hoops, mixed-link chains, or sculptural rings – that can be styled daily. A good mixed-metal piece should feel weighty, comfortable, and timeless, working as easily with heirlooms as with high-street finds.
