Minimalist Jewelry Guide: The Best 6 Designs For Daily Wear

Alicia Briggs | July 20, 2023

Despite starting as a popular trend, minimalism has proven itself as an enduring lifestyle and fashion choice. Numerous people choose to embrace a minimalist style to simplify their lives, maximize their budgets, and avoid overconsumption. When it comes to minimalism, less is more, but minimalism doesn’t have to be boring. Minimalist jewelry is an easy way to add personal flair to any outfit.

Read on to discover what minimalist jewelry is, how to wear it, and our top recommended jewelry designs featuring VRAI created diamonds.

What Is Minimalist Style?

Minimalist style means simplifying your wardrobe to just the items that you love and wear regularly. Minimalism values overall balance, harmony, and simplicity above all else. When it comes to minimalist fashion, this may look like a neutral or cohesive color palette and streamlined silhouettes that can be worn seamlessly together, like a capsule wardrobe.

Minimalist style is effortless, functional, and subtle. Quality is also an important principle of minimalism. Minimalists will wear the same pieces for years to come over buying new or unnecessary items.

Minimalism vs Maximalism

Minimalism and maximalism look very different, but they aren’t complete opposites. Minimalism believes in keeping things simple and pared down. Minimalism uses as few elements, items, or colors as possible to construct a distinct aesthetic.

Maximalism embraces the “more is more” mentality, but shouldn’t look over the top or clash. Maximalism loves to use as many colors or elements as possible to build a balanced style.

Both minimalism and maximalism aim to create a visually cohesive look or style, but they use different principles to do so.

Do Minimalists Wear Jewelry?

Minimalists can absolutely wear jewelry. You can adopt the same minimalist style principles for jewelry. Simple, classic jewelry essentials will enhance your style and appearance, whether you’re a minimalist or not.

What Is Minimalist Jewelry?

Minimalist jewelry refers to understated, quality designs that can be worn every day, in any setting. These pieces are subtle and appear simple, but they feature intricate details and expert craftsmanship that’s made to last.

Minimalist jewelry often consists of solid gold or sterling silver, single chain necklaces or bracelets with a diamond accent, classic stud earrings, clean lines, or geometric shapes.

However, minimalist jewelry can range in style. It can include playful or contemporary designs, but it wouldn’t be considered a statement piece. Whichever piece you choose, it should artfully highlight your outfit or style.

Minimalist vs Timeless Jewelry

Minimalist and timeless jewelry are often used interchangeably. While jewelry can be both, minimalist and timeless don’t mean the same thing.

A timeless piece of jewelry is an enduring design that has, as its name suggests, stood the test of time. These designs are anything but trendy - they are simply classic. Most timeless jewelry pieces are considered staple pieces that can be worn with almost anything.

Minimalist jewelry follows a similar definition since it features streamlined silhouettes that can be worn every day. However, minimalist jewelry doesn’t always have to be a timeless design. Newer designs and even trendy pieces can be minimalist if they fit that definition.

Timeless jewelry also isn’t always simple or subtle. Statement pieces, like diamond Tennis jewelry, are considered timeless. Yet these designs may be too bold and diamond-forward for a minimalist.

Ultimately, jewelry can often be considered both minimalist and timeless, but they aren’t always the same.

How to Find Affordable Minimalist Jewelry

While minimalist jewelry should always be high quality, it doesn’t need to be a lofty investment. VRAI fine jewelry offers the most competitive prices in the jewelry industry. With VRAI carbon-neutral jewelry, you can find more affordable minimalist jewelry designs for a range of budgets and tastes.

VRAI jewelry designs are modern, timeless, and made from solid recycled materials. Our lab-grown diamonds are produced in-house, in our own zero-emission foundries. This allows us to offer high quality diamond jewelry for less than any other diamond producer.

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How to Wear Minimalist Jewelry

Minimalist jewelry pairs perfectly with those who have a clean, minimalist style, but it also works for those who make bolder fashion choices. No matter your style, minimalist jewelry should enhance it.

Consider the following tips to wear minimalist jewelry with any outfit:

Choose minimal pieces. Opt for one or two pieces that create a cohesive look with your outfit of choice. They should have a similar style or color scheme as your outfit to create a smooth and elegant appearance.
Layer for a statement. To create a statement piece that’s still minimalist, layer two or three classic designs. You can layer necklaces, rings, or bracelets, but stick to one area. Avoid wearing jewelry anywhere else. Pair it with a simpler outfit that compliments the jewelry and lets it shine.
Go for the gold. Minimalist gold jewelry pairs well with anything and always looks effortless yet chic. If you have multiple gold colors in your jewelry collection, wear the one that suits your outfit best instead of contrasting.
Balance out the look. If you’re choosing to wear multiple pieces at once, choose designs that don’t contrast and instead create an overall balance to the outfit. For example, if you’re wearing a minimalist ring (like the Mixed Cuff), pair it with stud earrings or a simple solitaire necklace. Avoid adding more rings or a bracelet on the same wrist so that you’re not overwhelming one area with jewelry.

There are numerous ways to wear minimalist jewelry. It ultimately comes down to your personal preference and what outfit and jewelry designs you’re considering wearing.

Classic Minimalist Necklaces

Minimalist necklaces often feature a single chain that can be worn on its own or layered with other necklaces. A white gold or yellow gold setting is a durable, classic, and eye-catching choice for any necklace.

For minimalist necklaces, our diamond experts particularly love the Duo Lariat Necklace. “It’s simple but gorgeous and works well dressed up or down,” explains Grace Taylor, VRAI’s Sr. Director of Sales & CX.

Timeless designs like the sleek and modern Bezel Solitaire necklace or a classic and dainty Solitaire pendant belong in every minimalist jewelry collection.

Timeless Minimalist Earrings

Earrings are a fantastic minimalist jewelry choice. They’re subtle, yet they add the perfect amount of shine and style to any outfit. There are numerous timeless and minimalist earrings designs to choose from, but the minimalist earring staple is a Solitaire stud. You can choose from various diamond shapes to make the design your own. Our diamond experts particularly love Trillion cut diamonds for minimalists.

Another classic yet sleek style is a hoop earring, such as VRAI’s Bezel Huggie Hoops. This design is more understated and features a single VRAI created diamond that gracefully dangles. It’s a contemporary design that adds subtle flair to any outfit.

Shop All VRAI Minimalist Jewelry Designs

Explore all VRAI created fine jewelry designs online to create your collection of minimalist jewelry essentials including minimalist style engagement rings.