«خَواتِمْ تُرصُفْ فِي إِيدِينْ تِقْرِفْ»

Costly decoration cannot supply beauty that is absent. However brightly jewels shine, the hands wearing them remain unpleasant to look at. The saying ridicules the hope that outward ornament can make up for a basic lack of grace or comeliness.

A second reading takes the hands as unwashed rather than ugly. The target is then a coarse person of means who wears gleaming gems but knows nothing of cleanliness or refinement. Context decides which reading is meant.

Used to mock showy adornment that cannot hide a lack of beauty, or to scorn a wealthy but uncouth person whose jewels contrast with neglected cleanliness. It is a pointed, disparaging insult about appearance or manners, unsuitable for gentle teasing or polite company.