Whenever I think about mixed metals I get a voice in my head “I’m mixing my metals man” in a Happy Monday’s stylee but mixed metals instead of twisted melons. Melons and jewellery, I have a whole blog post planned in my head around watermelon tourmaline pieces titled “I carried a Watermelon” Happy Mondays and Dirty Dancing – tell me you’re Gen X without telling me you’re Gen X. Anyway…

And I do think about mixed metals quite often because mixed metal jewellery is so bloody useful. And I’m so shallow that I’d rather think about what styles of jewellery are most useful and versatile than contemplating anything that may be actually of value to society.

Anyway fellow shallow types, still with me? Marvellous, well done! Let’s crack on. So mixed metal jewellery is useful because it ties other pieces of jewllery together. Apparently Anna Wintour once dissed someone by telling them that their outfit was “matchy matchy”  

But she comes from a pillar of super stylish cool and can wear random focal necklaces with clashing floral dresses, too small Manolos, helmet hair and bug-eyed shades and convince everyone she’s the sartorial oracle. For us mere mortals, confidence comes with cohesion and matchy-matchy makes us feel more put together. And here’s where mixed metals come in. If you have white gold engagement and wedding rings and a fabulous yellow gold necklace, it can feel like they don’t quite go. But of you also wear a yellow and white gold bracelet or earrings at the same time, your outfit will feel more considered and put together. So let’s have a gander at some mixed metal pieces that can help you matchy-match to your hearts content, This post focuses on bicolour yellow and white gold. Tricolour can wait for another day when you’ll get the chance to drool at a Cartier trinity specimen or two

It may not be the first place you’d think of but if you root around in F Hinds you’ll find some absolute gems. Well obviously being a jewellery store and all. But for the price of trendy vermeil (which, to be frank, will last you a few years max,) you get solid gold. And if you get bored of it, you at the very least get the scrap value back – I recommend Hatton Garden Metals for their fabulous service.

This pair have a stylish contemporary feel to them, they’re 5 x 9 mm so not massive but not skimpy, a very Goldilocks just right sort of size. They’ll look equally good dressing up a casual outfit and complementing a more formal one. Do as I say, not do as I do and make sure you take them out and don’t just wear the same pair for weeks on end.

We’re going for a more boho feel with this silver and brass spinner ring. I’m not always the biggest fan of brass in jewellery as it can cause allergic reactions. In this case though, the silver acts as a shield between it and your skin so unless you’re super sensitive and react to sterling silver, you’ll be fine. As the brass is its natural colour and not plated, you won’t have to worry about the colour wearing off as you would do with gold plate or vermeil. And spinner rings are so satisfying to fiddle with, great for releasing anxiety!

A necklace, and obsessed with this one!

Go big or go home here, and it’s a spendy one at £6810. This is a true lifetime piece, one that you’ll have forever and ever and then pass down. 14kt white and yellow gold and super chunky to make a statement. Chunky chain necklaces work equally well with casual and dressy outfits and you’ll eventually get your cost per wear down to reasonable amounts in this case

And for the bracelet in this selection we’re going for a preloved option. You should always consider preloved when jewellery shopping. You can get some real bargains and gorgeous unusual designs. This one’s from eBay, still an great option for jewellery buying. Don’t overlook it, it’s got some real hidden treasures. This 9ct white and yellow gold link bracelet will be so wearable – love a lobster clasp for easy put-on-and-take-off-abililty. The texture on the white gold links adds real interest and this will be a great component of any bracelet stack.

So there you have it! Sme bicolour options for you to ponder, I can guarantee that if you do splurge on any of them, they’ll soon become the hardest working pieces in your jewellery wardrobe!