Golden Rules by Heather Foreman

Golden RULES

by Heather S. Bormann

Silver and gold, silver and gold... for years and years, there has been silver and gold. But now, we have rose gold, green gold, grey gold, black rhodium, and rhodium silver in the mix along with the white golds, platinums and yellow gold options in this jewelry world. So what to make of it all? Are these trends, and if so, what does that mean? What happens if I buy a trendy piece of fine jewelry? Is that a bad thing?

As jewelry is worn, some metal color treatments hold up better than others. Jewelry pieces that require the most care and maintenance are the metals that are plated to achieve their look. White gold, rhodium silver and pieces layered in black rhodium are plated, and will need to be refinished if they are worn all the time. Worn daily, rings and bracelets get the most wear and tear, and require a little more consistent cleaning to remain bright and shiny. Fashionable jewelry that is mixed in your wardrobe is a great way to spice up your look. Colored metal is here to add dimensions never seen before.

Rose gold is the “newest” metal has come into fashion. The newest trend currently enjoys the spotlight on the runway. The Rose colored metal flourishes due to it’s warm and sexy tone. If the coppery hues of rose gold are favorable to your skin tone, and you enjoy the look of it, do not worry about it being a “trend”. If you’re not sure and you hesitate about the trendy factor, it is probably not the best metal choice for you. The classics will always serve the fearful better. Rose gold is only for the forward thinking trendsetters.

What is green gold and gray gold? Gold can take on a broad spectrum of shades and tones depending on the metals that are alloyed in, and green and gray gold are perfect examples of how much these ingredients can alter the color. Green gold is a lighter, brighter shade of yellow gold than the traditional orange-yellow tone that is commonly seen, and gray gold has a cool, smoky-brown tint to it. These options are less common, but very stable, as they are not plated in anything to give them their finish. Green gold and grey gold are perfect for anything as classic as a wedding band or as edgy as as a long, multi-layered chain.

The key to all of this is simple. Buy what you LOVE. Wear what makes YOU happy. The jewelry that you own and wear becomes part of your story for the person you pass it on to. If you truly love it, go for it, and let it become your statement, not simply a trend.