Our jewellery FAQ series answers the most commonly asked questions about jewellery, such as buying guidance, care tips and styling advice. This month, we discuss how to style jewellery correctly with Elizabeth Li, founder of Hong Kong atelier Avia Diamonds
People love jewellery for many reasons—some might have sentimental value to us, while others we love purely for aesthetic reasons. But jewellery enthusiasts might sometimes also need guidance to navigate this intricate and fascinating world. So whether you are looking for buying advice or care tips, our jewellery FAQ series is here to provide you with all the information, recommendation and clarification you need.
In the first installment of our series we delve into the topic of jewellery styling. Jewellery styling is an art in itself. Done right, it elevates your look, and is a means of expressing personal style. But knowing how to get it right can be a little tricky at times. How does one choose the right accessories for different occasions? How does one add a personal touch? How can one best mix metals and stones? To help answer these commonly asked questions, we turn to Hong Kong-based jeweller Elizabeth Li, the founder of Avia Diamonds, who descends from three generations of fine jewellery craftsmen in the city, and who has a passion for creating modern heirlooms.
Here, she shares insider tips on building curated collections, styling for occasions, layering intentionally, and more.
Don’t miss: 5 Hong Kong jewellery brands to add some sparkle to your Christmas and New Year
How do I style jewellery?
Styling jewellery should be fun and should reflect your personal style. It’s a combination of mood and occasion, mixing up subtle finishes and fine details to create a look that feels personal and effortlessly curated. With the foundation of everyday staples, jewellery can be dressed up or down. Your choice should reflect your mood: whether you’re feeling playful and want to add colours or if you want more proper aesthetics with pearls or an edgy look with chunky chains. The occasion then dictates the size and impact of these pieces.
Also make sure your jewellery and watch complement each other. We recently customised an eternity ring with emerald-cut sapphires for a client to match her Patek Philippe Nautilus Ladies Rose Gold Baguette Cognac bezel watch, which she also stacks with her diamond eternity ring.
How do I know what kind of jewellery suits me?
There is no right or wrong piece; jewellery evokes emotions and tells a story, it suits you when it makes you feel happy. From a more technical perspective, it’s about creating the right rendition of the design with the appropriate scale and silhouette that is most flattering on you.
For example, certain earrings are more flattering to certain face and ear shapes. When we customise drop earrings, we suggest a design that is wider at the bottom for a heart-shaped face to balance the jawline. For a round-shaped face, we suggest one that lengthens the facial silhouette—as opposed to widening it. Then the ear shape is taken into consideration: the size of the earlobe, where the piercing is in relation to the earlobe and face; where we adjust the design and the position of the post, to make sure they are flattering and comfortable. Nuances are important in fine jewellery.
Engagement rings are also made in relation to the stone, the ring design and also the hands, to ensure it suits one in the most flattering way. Certain diamond shapes, such as oval and emerald-cut elongate the fingers. But most importantly, it’s what you like.