A Guide to Choosing the Right Metal for Your Style and Story
When it comes to jewelry, the colour of the metal isn’t just about style, it’s about how the piece connects to you. For Clocks + Colours, that choice comes down to three metals: sterling silver, brass, and stainless steel. Each has its own look, feel, and personality. Knowing which one fits you best can make your collection feel more intentional.
Why Metal Colour Matters
Metal colour affects more than just appearance, it shapes the mood of your entire look.
A silver ring can give off a cool, storm-worn energy, while a brass chain adds warmth and a sense of heritage. Stainless steel delivers a clean, modern edge. Choosing the right one can make your fit look sharper, more cohesive, and more personal.
Sterling Silver: The Cool-Toned Classic
Appearance: Pale, cool-toned, with a natural shine that deepens over time.
Composition: 92.5% pure silver, blended with small amounts of other metals for strength.
Style Pairing: Works seamlessly with dark, monochrome fits; think black leather, grey knits and classic vintage denim.
Sterling silver develops a patina, darkened recesses that bring out its sculpted details, making each piece look more storied the longer you wear it. Many C+C wearers choose to embrace this aging process as part of the design.
Best for:
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Modern, industrial, minimal styles
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Outfits built on blacks, greys, blues, and deep jewel tones
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Those who want their jewelry to carry visible history
Care Tip: Use a polishing cloth to remove patina and restore shine, or let the patina build naturally for a rugged, timeworn look.
Brass: Warmth with Weight
Appearance: Golden-brown warmth with a muted, earthy glow.
Composition: An alloy of copper and zinc, chosen for its richness and durability.
Style Pairing: Complements earth tones like olive, brown, and burgundy; pairs well with vintage-inspired looks.
Brass darkens with age, building a unique patina that makes each piece one-of-a-kind. It gets better with wear, just like the rest of us. If you want to keep it bright, give it the occasional polish, but a lot of people prefer the lived-in, burnished look. If your style leans vintage - washed-out tees, military greens, timeworn tattoos - brass adds that unspoken weight.
Best for:
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Refined, timeless, sophisticated style
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Layered fits with vintage or heritage influences
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Those who appreciate the changing character of aged metal
Care Tip: Keep brass away from prolonged moisture to slow down the development of patina; use a non-abrasive cleaner for restoration.
Stainless Steel: Clean, Engineered, Relentless
Appearance: Sleek, clean, and neutral-toned.
Composition: Iron alloy blended with chromium for corrosion resistance.
Style Pairing: Ideal for minimal, modern, or mixed-metal stacks.
Stainless steel is built for all-day, everyday wear. It resists tarnish, holds its shape, and keeps its finish with little maintenance, making it perfect for pieces you don’t want to think twice about. Clocks + Colours stainless steel pieces still carry the brand’s weight and presence, but with a more contemporary edge and cool undertone.
Best for:
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Vintage, rugged, heritage style
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Active lifestyles including hot-weather jobs where traditional silver might warp or lose shape
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Anyone who wants durable jewelry without the upkeep
Care Tip: Wipe occasionally with a microfiber cloth to keep the surface clean and reflective. Stainless steel is almost maintenance-free.
Mixing Metals: When and How
The old rule says to stick with one metal tone per outfit. We say: rules are tools, use them or break them. Some purists swear you should stick to one metal per look. Silver with silver. Brass with brass. We say mix, if you’ve got something to say with it.
How to mix metals well:
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Repeat each metal at least twice in your look for balance.
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Use stainless steel as a neutral bridge between warm brass and cool silver.
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Pair contrasting tones (brass with silver) for deliberate visual impact.
Use mixed metals with similar or matching stones to help tie them together.
How to Choose Your Metal
Ask yourself:
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Do I want my jewelry to age visibly with me? → Choose silver or brass.
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Do I prefer low-maintenance durability? → Stainless steel.
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Do I like a clean, cohesive look? → Stick to one tone.
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Do I like contrast and depth? → Mix metals with intention.
The Takeaway
Your jewelry should do more than match your skin’s undertones, it should match your story. Whether you choose the cool resolve of sterling silver, the warmth of aged brass, or the quiet strength of stainless steel, the right metal will feel like it’s been yours all along.
Sterling silver. Brass. Stainless steel.
Clocks + Colours. Built for the journey.
Sources
Should I buy sterling silver, brass or stainless steel jewellery?
https://objktsjewelry.com/pages/should-i-buy-sterling-silver-brass-or-stainless-steel-jewellery
Sterling Silver vs Stainless Steel vs Brass Jewelry
