Less, when it comes to following the proper etiquette, is more. It directs the focus on you, not on a pile of metal clattering its way through the day. That's the nature of good jewelry etiquette. At MANSSION, we design with that ethos in mind because it performs in every setting, from a coffee run to a night out.

Good news. You do not need a dozen rules to get this right. A few simple guides will do.

The don'ts are simple. Don't put all your favorites on at once. The ideal chain in the wrong neckline still won't look good. Your jewelry should fit the occasion, above all!

But those are fairly simple ideas, and we know there are a few other rules of etiquette that some prefer to follow.

What is the "3 Jewelry Rule?"

Think of it as the three-piece rule. Keep your look to three visible touches at a time or three active zones. A watch, a ring, and a chain is clean and complete. Two rings and a chain also work. If you like stacking, put pieces in the same zone so that it is still considered one decision. Two dainty bracelets next to your watch constitute one wrist story. One pendant on a short link chain is one neckline story. The eye registers clusters as one idea when they are grouped together, which keeps the whole fit calm instead of busy.

This trick is especially handy if you are getting dressed in a rush. Calculate, breathe deeply, and leave it be. You will be finished without tinkering in front of the mirror for ten minutes.

What is the 2:1:1 rule regarding jewelry?

This is a simple way to balance weight in your look. Two pieces on one area, one on a secondary area, one on a third. Picture two rings on your dominant hand, stacked one on top of the other, and a watch or cuff on the wrist. Or try a chain with a short pendant at the neck, one bracelet on one wrist, and one ring. It finds balance without becoming noisy. You make a statement, and yet the outfit continues to feel relaxed and clean.

If you're sporting a larger focal point, allow the "two" to be elsewhere. Big signet ring on the right hand? Form the two at your neck with a subtle stack. Bold watch? Form the two with rings and leave the neck bare. Same formula. Alternative design.

Jewelry Etiquette for Formal Events

Understated confidence is what formal occasions require. For a black tie or a genuine dress code night, think a single chain worn beneath the shirt so that only a hint is showing, a classic watch on leather, and one simple ring. Nothing that flashes across the room or clinks against glass. A cocktail dress provides some latitude. A dainty pendant can work, as can a slim cuff that fits close to the wrist. The rule is simple. If it's competing with the tailoring, trim back.

Create a small rotation that you can rely on. Begin with a single chain, a single ring, a single bracelet. Add a pendant or a second chain when you desire added presence. The shapes should be clean and the finish the same. If you need a shortcut, grab the staples below. They are the items we reach for when we style shoots and dress the team.

Minimalist jewelry

Minimalist jewelry is jewelry that is understated on the body and reliable in your rotation. Minimalist jewelry is clean lines, simple profiles, and weights that fall flat under a sleeve. The concept is clarity. One chain that always lands in the right place. One ring that becomes an extension of your hand. One bracelet that never fights with your watch. When the shapes are simple, the outfit looks sharper, and your routine is easier.

Minimalist necklaces

A plain necklace follows where your neckline wants it and stays there. Go for a chain that does not twist and a pendant that is in proportion to the shirt. Crew neck tops like a 20 to 22-inch chain. Open necks can be slightly shorter so the metal sits above the first button. If you want two minimalist necklaces, keep them both delicate and allow one to sit a little higher than the other so they flow together instead of fighting for attention.

The role of a statement piece

A statement piece plays a role. It sets the tone for the outfit, and everything else gets out of its way. Big signet. Heavy 5mm link Cuban chain. Statement cuff. When you choose a statement piece, keep the rest of your kit in a supporting role. If the chain is loud, let the rings whisper. If the watch is the star, let the bracelet take a seat. The look is strong because your eye has one place to land.

Layering necklaces

Layering necklaces should be like a single story with two lines. Start with the length. One sits at a bit of a higher position, one sits at a slightly lower position, and both fit inside the neckline so that they don't get caught up in buttons or zippers.

Then, we also recommend you keep the chain gauges quite similar. If your top chain is thinner, the bottom chain can be a bit heavier, but not more than double. If one chain has a pendant, leave the other plain so your eye has a place to rest.

Mixing metals

Mixing metals works if you're thinking in families. Match the shine levels first, then think temperature. Polished steel and polished silver is clean reading. Brushed gold and brushed bronze are grounded readings. If you're going for a two-metal mix, let one be dominant and let the other have a single showing. Silver watch and a silver chain, and then a single gold ring. Or a ring, a gold chain and a silent steel watch under a cuff. It seems to be intentional since the finishes are saying the same thing.