Perhaps the most common jewelry faux paux is wearing too much jewelry. It can confuse the eye and blend your pieces into the appearance of only one piece of rather gaudy jewelry. A stack of bangles worn with layers of bead and chain necklaces and large dangly earrings and several rings and some pearl jewelry is just too much of a good thing. Along with too much jewelry, noisy jewelry is usually inappropriate. An arm load of bracelets that clanks or tinkles at your every move is distracting and even irritating.

Then it is the wrong weight and size. Your jewelry should coordinate with the fabrics in your clothing. Heavy shell or wooden beads don’t work with a thin silk blouse. You would be better with several thin chains or a strand of pearls. Pearls are not usually shown at their best with heavy denims or tee shirts. Wear those heavier cork or stone beads with your heavy denims or bulky sweaters. Along the same lines, the length of the necklace should coordinate with your collar.