This is the time of year when neutral colors—tan, black, navy, etc.—are probably the most favored in many a wardrobe. That’s just the unspoken rule of winter: Save your bright colors for when the sun is shining and the temperatures are friendlier. And it’s fine. I personally like neutral colors. It doesn’t have to mean drab city—the opposite, in fact, since a noncompeting shade makes a wonderful canvas for a colorful pop of jewelry to shine on.

But do you know what I might like more than contrast these days? The matchy-matchiness of color blocking. Wearing all one shade from head to toe, jewelry included. The concept probably works best with bolder colors—red, bright yellow, a sensational shade of blue—but after the Golden Globes red carpet, I’m on a nude kick (Constance Wu’s ensemble is my catalyst).

With softer colors dominating the season—a fragile, serene shade of blue; periwinkle; eggshell white; or very pale yellow, I’m compelled to look for similarities in gemstones, and the nude-adjacent ones are what I like best.

Mostly, this involves an array of diamonds, from champagne to super–light yellow, faceted and raw, natural and perhaps not so. The stones may catch the light in a way that keeps them sparkling, but their earthy tones add a touch of muted magnificence, like only the most refined styles can carry.

So if you’re beefing up your diamond selection in the coming months, consider going nude—in stone color, that is—both for your engagement ring and fine jewelry selections. Whether one is to wear with head-to-toe neutrals or color block with something more vivid, these styles will sing alongside any look. Come to think of it, they’d look good if one opted to actually go nude, too.

Top: Bea Arrow Hex ring in 14k yellow gold with 0.61 ct. modified hexagonal rose-cut champagne diamond and 0.16 ct. t.w. white diamonds, $5,200; Anna Sheffield

Brittany Siminitz

JCK Contributing Editor