Women's Jewelry: Every Type Explained — The Complete Guide
Women's jewelry comes in countless forms — but almost all of it comes back to four categories: earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets. Once you understand those four, you can build a jewelry box from scratch, mix everything with everything, and choose exactly what suits you. In this guide we explain each type, show a few examples per category, and share practical tips for choosing, combining and gifting.
At a glance — four styles, four favorites
1. Earrings — from subtle studs to statement pieces
For most women, earrings are the piece worn most often — frequently all day, every day. And there is enormous variety within that single category. Stud earrings are small and sit close to the earlobe: subtle and perfect for everyday wear, like the Nikki cubic zirconia studs. Hoop earrings dress an outfit up a little; the chunky Sol hoops are a lovely example. And if you like to be noticed, go for statement earrings such as the geometric Mae. For a wedding or black-tie event there is also the refined drop earring, like the Celeste bridal earrings.
Earrings — from subtle to statement
Tip: start with one set of studs you never take out
If you are building a collection, start with one pair of timeless stud earrings that can simply stay in. From there you build loosely outwards with hoops or statement pieces for special occasions. Browse the full earrings collection if you want to compare.
2. Necklaces — from delicate pendants to bolder links
A necklace sets the neckline of your outfit. Delicate chains with a small pendant — like the Mathilde with its bow pendant — are minimalist and sit neatly under almost any collar. A necklace with a color or stone accent, such as the Aurelia with green cubic zirconia or the pink Maud, draws a little more attention. If you love a romantic detail, a heart pendant like the Emma is a classic. The best thing about necklaces: choose different lengths and you can layer them over one another.
Necklaces — delicate, color & hearts
Tip: play with lengths for the layered look
Want to layer? Combine a short necklace (around 40 cm / 16 inches) with a longer one (45–50 cm / 18–20 inches) so the pendants do not land at the same height. A delicate chain next to a slightly chunkier link gives the nicest contrast. You will find more inspiration in the necklaces collection.
3. Rings — adjustable, hearts & natural stone
Rings are personal — and the trickiest when it comes to size. That is why most Lundholm rings are adjustable (one size), so you do not have to measure endlessly and the ring moves with you on warm or cold days. In terms of style there are roughly three directions: delicate shape rings with a symbol, like the Joliene heart ring or the infinity shape of the Helena; cubic zirconia rings with a sparkling stone such as the Julie; and natural stone rings set with a real stone, like the Sophia with rose quartz. Still unsure about your size? Then read our guide on how to measure your ring size at home.
Rings — shape, cubic zirconia & stone
Tip: feel free to stack several rings
A delicate shape ring next to a ring with a stone works beautifully together, as long as you let one piece take the lead. Wear the eye-catching one on your dominant hand and keep the other ring quieter. You will find every model in the rings collection.
4. Bracelets — charm, tennis & chain link
Bracelets are the piece of jewelry you see moving most during the day. A charm bracelet with a small symbol, like the Yve with its heart, adds a personal touch. A tennis bracelet with a row of cubic zirconia, such as the Jasmijn, is refined and a touch dressier. A chain-link bracelet like the Iza has more body and looks great on its own. And the Faye, with its cubic zirconia detail, sits nicely in between. As with necklaces: a delicate and a sturdier bracelet together on the same wrist gives a rich, layered effect.
Bracelets — charm, tennis & chain link
Tip: pay attention to the clasp and the fit
An adjustable or elastic bracelet is handy if you are unsure about size; a fixed chain-link bracelet looks best when it sits just a little loosely around the wrist. Browse the full bracelets collection to compare lengths.
5. The material: why stainless steel makes the difference
Beyond the shape, it is the material that decides how long you will enjoy a piece. Lundholm works with premium stainless steel (surgical steel), finished for the gold-tone versions with a 2.5-micron PVD gold layer. That brings a few concrete advantages: it is waterproof (you can keep it on in the shower and while washing your hands), hypoallergenic and low in nickel (nickel release stays well below the European limit — a relief if cheaper jewelry has caused a reaction before), and it does not discolor the way gold-plated brass eventually does. That makes it built for everyday wear.
Want to go deeper? We wrote separate explainers on hypoallergenic jewelry, on why a necklace can discolor and on swimming with your jewelry.
6. Choosing & combining: minimalist or statement?
Broadly speaking, women's jewelry falls into two styles. Minimalist jewelry is small, delicate and quiet — it supports your outfit without asking for attention, and you can stack it endlessly. Statement jewelry is bigger and bolder and becomes the focal point itself. The golden rule: let one piece take the lead per look and keep the rest quiet. So pair a large statement earring with a delicate necklace, not with another eye-catching pendant.
Gold or silver — which should I choose?
A simple rule of thumb: look at what you already wear most. If you have a warm skin tone or often wear earth tones, gold-tone usually looks best; a cooler tone lets silver-tone come into its own. And you do not have to choose — wearing gold and silver together is absolutely fine. We covered mixing and matching gold and silver separately. And if you want to match jewelry to a particular dress or neckline, read which jewelry suits which dress.
Giving jewelry as a gift
Jewelry makes a lovely gift because it is personal and — since most rings are adjustable and necklaces come with an extender — the size rarely goes wrong. Torn between categories? Delicate studs or a fine necklace with a pendant are the safest choice: almost everyone wears them. Every piece of Lundholm women's jewelry arrives gift-ready in a box with a gift pouch. Order before 15:00 CET on a working day and we ship the same day. Jewelry ships worldwide: EUR 3.95, free shipping from EUR 75.
Discover the full collection
Earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets in premium stainless steel — waterproof, hypoallergenic and built for everyday wear.
Shop all women's jewelry →Frequently asked questions about women's jewelry
What types of women's jewelry are there?
The four main categories are earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets. Each category has its own variants — with earrings, for example, stud earrings, hoop earrings and statement earrings; with bracelets, charm, tennis and chain-link bracelets. You will also see anklets and brooches now and then, but those four are the foundation.
Which jewelry is best to start a collection with?
One pair of timeless stud earrings and one delicate necklace with a pendant. You will wear those almost daily, and you can build statement pieces loosely around them for special occasions.
What is the difference between minimalist and statement jewelry?
Minimalist jewelry is small and quiet and supports your outfit; statement jewelry is bigger and bolder and becomes the focal point itself. Ideally you let one piece take the lead per look and keep the rest subtle.
Gold or silver — which suits me better?
Look at what you already wear most. With a warm skin tone or earth tones, gold-tone usually looks best; with a cooler tone, silver-tone. Wearing gold and silver together is perfectly acceptable these days.
Is stainless steel jewelry any good?
Yes. Premium stainless steel is waterproof, hypoallergenic and low in nickel — nickel release stays well below the European limit — and it does not discolor the way gold-plated brass does. It is strong and built for everyday wear, which is why it is such a popular material for women's jewelry.
Which jewelry can I wear every day, even in the shower?
Premium stainless steel jewelry handles water and daily use. For pieces with a set natural stone we recommend taking them off before you shower, so soap residue does not build up in the setting.
Is jewelry a good gift?
Very good. It is personal and the size rarely goes wrong: most rings are adjustable and necklaces come with an extender. Delicate stud earrings or a necklace with a pendant are the safest choice. Every piece of women's jewelry arrives gift-ready in a box with a gift pouch.
Love, the Lundholm team
