New Year's Eve Jewelry: Sparkle That Stays Put All Night

What jewelry should you wear on New Year's Eve? Choose sparkle that catches the light: one statement or glittering cubic zirconia at your ears, layers at your neck and something that shines at your wrist. Wearing your hair up? Then your earrings get the leading role. And pick clasps that stay put, because New Year's Eve lasts well past midnight.

One statement for the last night of the year

New Year's Eve is the night you can go a little further than usual. Not sure what to wear yet? This is the quickest route to a party look: a plain black dress, or trousers with a shiny top, and one pair of earrings that really stands out. Nothing else at your neck. It looks polished without overthinking, and works just as well at a house party as in a restaurant.

A star is the shape for the turn of the year; a chunky hoop or a large gold-tone leaf is the bolder alternative.

Cubic zirconia: sparkle for candlelight and fairy lights

Cubic zirconia is a clear cut stone with many facets. Where a smooth gold ball reflects light in one direction, a cut stone scatters it every way. You see it exactly when the lights dim and the candles come on.

A drop that moves beneath your earlobe is the most festive; a tiny star or a row of stones in a hoop is the quieter option. Cubic zirconia works with warm gold and with silver, as long as you keep one metal as your base.

Hair up? Let your earrings do the talking

A bun, a ponytail or an updo puts your whole ear on show, from lobe to rim. That is the moment for earrings with a little length, or for a small ear stack: a stone-set hoop in the lobe, a tiny star or climber above it. Long drops look beautiful with a low bun; with a high ponytail, huggies and climbers that sit close to the ear work best.

For more combinations, read which earrings suit an updo. For a wish at midnight, the Seraphine shooting star is a sweet choice too.

Layering: two or three necklaces, no tangles

Wearing several necklaces at once instantly makes a simple outfit richer. Three rules make the difference between lovely and messy: keep at least three to five centimetres between layers, give one necklace the focus with a pendant or heavier chain, and mix textures, such as a smooth snake chain under a link chain.

The honest downside of separate necklaces: the clasps twist together at the back of your neck, and halfway through the evening you are untangling them. A ready-made layered necklace sits on one clasp, so it cannot tangle. Ideal on a night of dancing, hugging and coats on and off.

You will find all ready-made layers among our layered necklaces; for layering separate chains, read how to layer necklaces.

Your wrist catches the light with every toast

Think about what your hands do that night: raising a glass, holding your phone for the midnight photo, hugging someone. That makes your wrist the piece others see most, more often than your necklace, which half disappears under a scarf.

A tennis bracelet is the classic choice: a slim band with an unbroken row of identically cut cubic zirconia, so it catches the light from every side. Prefer a bangle that does not slip under your sleeve? Choose the Yael in gold-tone. Keep it to two, at most three bracelets on one wrist; any more and they start to jingle. For more ideas, read how to stack bracelets.

Comfortable until well past midnight

New Year's Eve runs from early-evening drinks until well past twelve, and around midnight you are often outside for a while. A beautiful piece lying on the floor at half past twelve is no use to anyone. This helps:

• Choose your clasp wiselyStuds, huggies and hoops with a hinged clasp are the most secure. Hooks can come loose when you pull a scarf over your head.
• Light to wearBig earrings with an open or hollow shape still feel light after six hours.
• Cold fingersOutside, your fingers shrink slightly and a ring slips off more easily. An adjustable ring, like the Alexia, can be set a little tighter.
• WaterproofChampagne, rain or wet hands: premium stainless steel with a PVD coating can take it. Only pearl-look is not waterproof.
• HypoallergenicNo itchy earlobes even after seven hours, good news if you have sensitive ears.
• Perfume first, jewelry secondHairspray, perfume and body lotion go on before your jewelry; otherwise they leave a haze on the stones.

Which outfit, which sparkle?

You are wearing	Choose	Tip
A black dress	One statement at your ears	Leave your neck bare and choose a star or chunky hoop.
A V-neck or off-shoulder	Layered necklaces	Choose small earrings so the layers keep the leading role.
A shiny top or sequins	Fine cubic zirconia	The fabric already shines; keep to studs or huggies.
A turtleneck or high-neck jumpsuit	Earrings and wrist	Skip the necklace; choose length at your ears and a tennis bracelet.

Wearing a long dress to a gala or dinner? Read jewelry for a gala dress. For Christmas itself, you will find four complete looks in our Christmas lookbook, and for the party before that, jewelry for the office Christmas party.

Shipping and gift wrapping

Order before 3 pm (CET) on a working day and we ship the same day. Free shipping thresholds vary by country; see our shipping page. Carriers are busy around the holidays, so it is better to order a few days early. Every piece ships in a luxury gift box, and when you order from our own webshop you always get a free gift bag: handy if you are bringing a little gift for the host. With larger orders, our gift ladder adds free gifts as well (different ones every month).

Frequently asked questions about New Year's Eve jewelry