Gold Rush – Gold Jewelry Design

Posted on May 6, 2013 in Trends,

After years of being overshadowed by white gold, yellow gold is making a comeback! The demand for colored gold is usually dictated by fashion trends. Whenever shades of blue and silver are fashionable, the demand for white gold tends to increase. With Earth tones currently at the forefront, there’s a growing desire for yellow gold.

“Soft gold” or “silk gold” necklace made of strands of woven 14K gold that can be worn twisted or untwisted.

Humanity has been captivated by this precious metal for the past 6,000 years. It was once believed that gold symbolized the sun and its life-giving power, which was reflected in elaborate jewelry pieces created by ancient Egyptians and Sumerians.

Ancient Egyptian necklace ~100 CE (Roman Empire). String of mixed beads of emerald, gold, glass, quartz, amethyst, and faience.

Gold is favored by jewelry designers because of its durability and ductility, which allows it to be easily fashioned into new shapes. Adding other metals, called alloys, changes the color of gold and provides a variety of palettes. One factor in a designer’s selection of alloys depends on whether he or she is using it to set hard or breakable stones. The alloy determines gold’s pliability or firmness, and therefore, its ability to hold these stones in the overall design.

When shopping for gold, look for pieces that have a lightweight design and durable engineering to receive the best value. A recent trend in “eco-gold,”—reclaimed or recycled gold—is popular with environmentally conscious consumers.

Do you prefer the classic yellow gold hue in jewelry, or the also popular white or rose gold?