Party and event jewelry

Some nights are planned weeks in advance. Others turn up on a Thursday at six in the evening, with the dress still undecided. Either way, the right piece of jewelry solves more than you'd think. This is where we've gathered our party and event jewelry: long earrings, chokers, pendants and bracelets that work at a wedding or a New Year's Eve dinner, and don't end up forgotten in a drawer the following Monday. Every piece comes out of our workshop in Es Castell, Menorca, where we apply each plating ourselves.

Before you choose, think about the time of day

A midday wedding in the countryside and a black-tie dinner don't ask for the same thing. There are no strict rules anymore (etiquette has relaxed a lot), but a few pointers help.

Daytime events

Natural light already does most of the work. Go for measured volume, warm finishes and a softer sparkle: stud earrings, a textured bangle, a thin chain bracelet. Cultured pearls also fit beautifully here, especially for church ceremonies. For ideas by dress style, have a look at our guide to earrings for wedding guests.

Evening weddings, galas and New Year's Eve

Now's the moment. At night, sparkle isn't too much; it's the point. AAA-grade cubic zirconia responds beautifully to artificial light, and a well-made setting shows the moment the lights go down. A pair of long cubic zirconia earrings or one of our cubic zirconia necklaces is enough. You won't need much else.

The office party (and other no-dress-code nights)

For these, one piece with character that doesn't force a full outfit change. A gold choker over a fine-knit sweater, for instance. Or a bangle in acetate and resin, which adds color without losing elegance and survives a full working day beforehand.

Your hairstyle calls the shots (though hardly anyone thinks of it when buying)

A low bun or a sleek updo leaves the neck bare, and that space is filled perfectly by statement earrings or long drops, so much so that a necklace becomes almost unnecessary. With your hair down, it's the opposite: a long, fine earring gets lost in the strands. That's where hoops with a bit of volume win.

We've written a whole article on which earrings to wear with your hair up, and another on how to style long earrings depending on your neckline.

Gold or silver?

A quick trick: look at the veins on your wrist. If they look greenish, your skin has a warm undertone and gold will light up your face. If they look bluish, the white of platinum will probably suit you better. And if you can't tell, mix them. A few years ago it seemed like a mistake; today it's almost a personal signature.

This collection uses three finishes. Sterling silver 925 with platinum plating has a cool, very clean white that makes cubic zirconia stand out even more; it's also hypoallergenic and protects the silver from perfume and the skin's pH. When that same silver is plated in 18-karat gold, the result is a champagne gold in Hamilton tone, nothing like harsh, brassy yellows. And on pieces with 18k gold plating over other bases, we deposit at least one micron of gold in our own electroplating facility, a considerably thicker layer than that of mass-produced fashion jewelry. You can browse the full range by finish in 18k gold plated jewelry and sterling silver 925 jewelry.

Less is more (really)

The most common party mistake is adding sparkle everywhere. Decide beforehand where you want the eye to go. Long cubic zirconia earrings? Then keep the neck clear, or at most wear a very fine chain. A necklace with presence? Small earrings. The wrist plays by its own rules and almost always takes a fine cubic zirconia bracelet. If you'd rather not overthink it, our jewelry sets come already paired.

Gifting in dinner season

In December the calendar fills up, and event jewelry is one of those gifts that gets worn almost straight away. A ring from our cubic zirconia rings or a pair of long earrings rarely misses, whether it's for your mother, your sister or that friend who always has plans. There are more ideas in our gift guide. And if a wedding is coming up, take a look at our wedding jewelry selection.

When you get home

Take them off before removing your makeup. It sounds obvious, but at three in the morning it isn't. A soft, dry cloth is enough to remove traces of perfume or hairspray. Then put each piece in its own compartment, so the stones don't scratch other platings. We explain it in more detail in our tips for caring for gold-plated jewelry and in these tips for storing earrings and necklaces.