Many women struggle trying to decide between sterling silver or gold accessories. As with most trends in the fashion world, you’ll find jewelry designers who choose to work exclusively in one metal; however more and more designers are choosing to work in both when creating their collections.
Many of the pieces you’ll find in the marketplace of high-end hand-crafted jewelry will be made of sterling silver or gold filled metal. Gold-filled simply represents a process that bonds solid gold to a metal alloy. The gold will not wear off! This process allows the wearer to have all the benefits of pure gold without the costs and with reasonable care gold filled jewelry will last for years to come!
When deciding what pieces to add to your jewelry wardrobe, don’t be too concerned with if it should be sterling silver or gold. Look for pieces that accentuate you and your personal style. Think of all the outfits have in your closet and how much wear you will get out of the piece.
Learn to be your own personal stylist! Don’t be afraid to try something new. Many jewelry designers who work in both sterling silver and gold offer mixed metal pieces in their collections. It is no longer taboo to mix you gold with your silver! You will get compliments on your personal style and fierce desire to take chances when it comes to your jewelry wardrobe.
Leslie Chatman is a chic thirtysomething from Dallas with a passion for jewelry. Leslie is the owner and designer of LunaTeal Jewelry. She also writes for the fine art of jewelry, a jewelry blog. Follow her on Twitter: @lunateal.
Posted by: Laura on July 27, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I agree! As collectors AND designers, we have more flexibility than ever before. Gold-filled is a GREAT option for those who end up with the green shadow from where cheap jewelry has discolored their skin!
When I’m designing a piece, I usually let the look of the materials dictate the metals to be used. Where Larimar is DELICIOUS with silver, gold just does not work well. Lapis Lazuli is especially good with gold, but just as devine with silver as well. Another trend, copper, has turned everything on it’s head, offers new variety and has increased our options exponentially. What a great time to be buying jewelry!
Posted by: Leslie on July 30, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Thanks for the comment. I love Lapis Lazuli and I would like to work with it more in the future. I think the flecks of gold in the stone is what makes it looks so devine.
I agree that copper is getting a lot of attention in the jewelry world. At my local bead boutique, I have been introduced to some wonderful copper chain. I may have to give copper a try soon!