New Trends in Gold Jewelry

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Gold jewelry symbolizes wealth and success, but it also carries with it the power of divinity. It’s a precious metal that can make any outfit look instantly richer. It’s also believed to attract good fortune, so many people wear it as a form of protection. It’s an enduring symbol of beauty and luxury, so it’s no surprise that some of our favorite brands are embracing the golden trend with modern, sculptural designs.

A new generation of jewelers are challenging conventional wisdom and redefining what jewelry is made of. Some are using non-precious materials, like recycled paper and textiles, to evoke a sense of the future while others are casting old gold into contemporary designs that look nothing like the traditional pieces we’re used to seeing in stores.

Some designers are even working with gold clay, which is a malleable powder that’s mixed with water and heated in a kiln to create jewelry. These pieces are surprisingly durable, and their organic lines reflect the shapes they’re formed into. Others are combining gold with other precious metals and stones to make modern, sculptural pieces. And some are reusing old gold, such as broken pieces of jewelry or coins, to make new designs.

While most of us think of gold as yellow, it actually comes in a wide range of colors. To achieve different shades, gold is combined with other metals that give it strength. Pure gold is measured in karats, with 24K being considered the highest quality and most expensive. To make gold more practical for jewelry making, it is typically mixed with alloys like silver, copper, zinc, nickel and iron. These alloys are called “filler metals,” and they help increase the hardness of the gold while lowering its price.

Alloying gold has some negative side effects, however. The alloys may cause skin reactions in some people, and they can stain or tarnish over time. They also lower the metal’s melting point, which makes it difficult to use in jewelry. To counter these issues, gold is often alloyed with platinum, palladium or rhodium.

Thankfully, some of the most popular jewelry brands are working to address these issues by using more ethically sourced gold and adding alloys that make their jewelry more durable. Kinn is a great example, offering modern, timeless designs (and earrings that don’t irritate sensitive lobes) with solid gold and extra-thick vermeil—and all for less than you would pay at a department store.