Opals are like the wildcards of the jewellery world, colourful and impossible to ignore. Whether you’re dressing up for a special event or just adding flair to your everyday look, opal earrings bring a unique energy that deserves thoughtful styling. But with so many colours flickering in just one stone, it’s easy to get stuck wondering: Can I wear opal jewellery with diamonds? What about pearls? Is it too much with gold?
Let’s clear up the confusion. Here’s how to confidently pair your opal earrings with other jewellery pieces, without overwhelming your look or dulling the magic of your opals.
Start With the Star of the Show
Before you even think about what to pair them with, take a moment to really look at your opal earrings. Are they subtle white opals with pastel hues? Or are they bold, fiery stones with flashes of orange, green and blue? The mood and intensity of your opals should guide your styling decisions.
For example, something delicate like these antique fire opal stud earrings can sit effortlessly with other understated pieces. But if you’re rocking a dramatic design like the opal and diamond drop earrings, you might want to tone everything else down and let them do all the talking.
Mixing Opals and Diamonds
Diamonds are the perfect plus-one to opals. Their clear sparkle enhances the opal’s play-of-colour without competing for attention. If you’re wearing diamond jewellery elsewhere, think tennis bracelets, eternity rings or even a diamond pendant. They’ll only elevate your look when worn with opals.
But be mindful of proportions. A bold diamond choker and statement opal earrings? That might be pushing it. Aim for a balance, if your earrings are the standout, keep your diamond additions sleek and minimal.
Pairing with Pearls: Soft and Serene
Pearls and opals are like kindred spirits. Both are soft-toned, and elegant. But together, they can either create magic or feel a bit too washed-out if not done right.
Pairing your opal earrings with a simple strand of pearls or a dainty pearl bracelet works beautifully for daytime looks or formal occasions. It’s a combo that leans into softness and femininity. Just avoid overly ornate pearl pieces that could blur the contrast between the two gemstones.
You want them to complement, not compete!
Opals and Gold: A Warm Embrace
Yellow gold brings out the warmth and fire within opals, especially when the opals lean into orange, pink or green tones. Whether your earrings are set in gold or you’re layering up with gold bangles, this pairing feels luxe and earthy at the same time.
Vintage opal pieces often feature beautiful gold settings, like the fire opal set, which glows with rich amber tones. Pairing gold jewellery with these kinds of opals enhances the vibrancy without adding visual noise.
Just watch out for mixing too many different gold tones in one look – yellow, white, and rose gold all together can start to clash. Pick a metal tone and stick to it for cohesion.
Let Colour Guide You
The key to styling opals with other pieces lies in colour. Because opals flash so many shades at once, your safest bet is to echo or complement one of the colours within the stone. If your earrings show flashes of green, for instance, emerald accents will look intentional and luxe. If blue dominates, sapphire or aquamarine will feel like a natural extension.
Opal Jewellery Pairing: Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Let your opals guide your colour palette.
- Pair opals with diamonds for extra sparkle without visual clash.
- Choose gold settings to enhance warm-toned opals.
- Use other jewellery to echo one of the colours within the opal.
- Keep your overall look balanced — if one piece is bold, keep others subtle.
Don’t:
- Overload with too many statement pieces at once.
- Mix multiple metal tones unless done intentionally.
- Pair with very vibrant, conflicting gemstones that distract from the opal.
- Forget that opals are soft stones — avoid stacking with abrasive metals or harder gems that might scratch them.
Whether you’re going for delicate elegance or bold glamour, opals can be surprisingly versatile when paired thoughtfully. Let their natural beauty shine — and don’t be afraid to experiment with a little sparkle, shimmer, or glow. After all, the best jewellery combinations are the ones that make you feel amazing.
