Jewelry design is an art that is perfected by years of practice and requires an up-to-date fashion sense, an intuitive style and technical knowledge on how to put together the piece itself and materials.

Over the years, jewelry making has evolved perhaps as much as fashion itself or more.  From simple pieces, we now have more elaborate jewelry.  And this includes those that have two or more materials used in making it.

Gold and silver. For the longest time, we were told never to mix silver jewelry with gold ones.  It was tacky.  But then, that dictum was broken and we were told that it was cool, elegant even, to have both gold and silver pieces together.  We learned how to layer gold and silver necklaces, and dual toned jewelry became acceptable.

Rose and Yellow Gold Plated Triple Band Silver Ring

Add some little gemstone and you have a dazzling piece that is sure to make your friends blind and green with envy!

Two Tone Tear Drops Diamond Pendant Necklace

Gold and Crystals. Gold jewelry has always been expensive so to keep the price affordable, most earlier jewelers would use one precious or semi-precious stone to enhance its beauty.  Or just go with pure gold.  But then, gold and crystals could be combined.

French Gold Square Filigree Necklace with Crystals

Gemstones.  For many women, they love to wear their birthstones as a way to bring luck into their lives as well as look more beautiful.  Gemstones are beautifully set in precious metals to add to the wow factor.

Peridot and Amethyst Bezel Set Sterling Ring

Glass and other materials. As we’ve said, jewelry is highly evolving and more and more materials are being used to enhance precious stones, gems, and metals.  Take this glass and silver combination for example:

Large Rectangular Smoky Glass Silver Pendant

Or this glass, pearl and beads ensemble:

Pearl Bracelet with Czech Glass & Sunstone Beads

Even wood and rubber is getting the jewelry treatment:

Stainless Steel and Wood Fancy Link Bracelet

Bronze Cultured Freshwater Pearl, Wood & Hematite Beads

Stainless Steel with Gold-plated & Rubber Necklace

Using different materials can certainly add some character and uniqueness to jewelry.  For those who cannot make up their minds, you can always go for a smorgasbord type of jewelry like this necklace that brings together all the gemstones:

14k Yellow Gold Multicolor Gemstone Necklace

Or perhaps one piece that makes use of different stones:

Sterling Silver Triple Strand Multi Stone Bracelet