One of the hardest things about designing jewelry is designing things that you wouldn't necessarily wear yourself. Learning to step outside your comfort zone to make something new and different is hard. For most of my life I have gravitated towards white metals in my jewelry, when my husband and I had the conversation about what kind of engagement ring I wanted one of the first things I said was that I wanted a white metal. I guess I like how bright the white metals can look, and it's a more versatile color than yellow gold.
So when I started designing jewelry I started with stainless steel (because of the price and durability) and sterling silver. I haven't strayed from those two metals since. I've been asked if I worked in gold, even rose gold, but I always had excuses ready. Cost being one of the big ones. Gold is much more expensive than silver or steel, I was afraid of how expensive my pieces would have to be if I made them in gold. Could I even afford to buy it? Just to give you a little perspective, one foot of 24 gauge sterling silver wire is about $.52, the same foot of 24 gauge wire in 10k (low end) gold is $14.96. For something that's in literally every single piece I make, that's a huge difference! Price isn't the only thing that's been keeping me from gold, it's also the hassle of keeping so many different types of metals, would I have to offer every design in both silver and gold? How do I decide? Better to keep things simple. At the root of all of it, I've just never liked gold that much, so I never thought it was that important to work with it.
All of these excuses (with the exception of cost, that's an important thing to consider when you're running a business!) are pretty weak, but they were good enough for me. Until I got my hands on a strand of gorgeous 15mm wine colored coin pearls. They really are that great! I had been eyeing them at the bead shop down the street for a while, always passing on them because "you really don't need any more pearls right now!" But I finally gave in and bought them! I paired them with a strand of beautiful aquamarine beads. While I was making the bracelet, I couldn't help but think to myself, "I really think these would look better with gold." WHAT WAS I DOING??? I don't even like gold, but I had to admit that these pearls needed it.
I went to the website of my favorite shop to get metals for jewelry to see what their prices were for gold. They had gold fill materials. I did some reading, and found that gold fill is really common in jewelry. Basically, gold fill is similar to gold plated, except that the plated layer is so thick it will not chip or rub off. The base metal core adds strength to an other wise weak metal, it's still tarnish resistant, and it's just as beautiful. The cost of gold fill is also much more affordable! Gold filled wire is only about twice the cost of silver, instead of 30 times the cost. Meaning that my gold jewelry would not need to be nearly as expensive as I had feared!
I then did what every girl does when she needs some solid advice...I called my mom. (I also called my husband, but for most jewelry related stuff you really need a woman's opinion) Buying the gold materials would still be a significant investment, so my question to her, as a customer would you be interested? She (and my husband) convinced me to go for it! She made a really good point, some women like all their jewelry to match, so for a woman who has gold wedding rings, she will only buy other gold jewelry to match, meaning that she will never buy from me. Both she and my husband brought up demand, is there a demand for gold jewelry? Aside from all the times I've been asked if I had anything in gold, I've actually made custom orders in gold before. So...yes, I'd say there was demand enough. I took their advice, and went for it!
I was dying to get to work! This stuff was literally glittering and shimmering in the sunlight...now I know why people love it so much! I had several pearls and other gems that I got in anticipation of fall, all of which I thought could use some gold! So I pulled it all out and got started making a selection of pieces with different looks. This is what I ended up with:
The gold chain really brings out the best in these pearls...at least in my opinion!
I have to admit, as I was taking pictures today, I was really surprised at how much I liked what I had made even though I've never been a fan of gold jewelry. While I do love that bracelet, I'm more surprised by the necklace. I got those pearls a while ago as part of my fall push, and haven't used them because they haven't really caught my eye since buying them. They've sat lonely in the big box full of pearls and gems for weeks. Even as I pulled them out and paired them with the rose agate I wasn't too excited about them. But the more I look at it, and as I was photographing it, I grew to love it! It's such a simple piece and it has a sweetness to it that I just can't get over! Plus I got some really great shots of it! The one above and these too:
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In conclusion, I am now fully on the gold train. I will not make all my same designs in gold, but it is wonderful to have the option when I think a piece would look better in gold or if someone asks! I've said it before, running a business is hard and there are risks, I hope this investment will pay off, if it doesn't at least I have an awesome new necklace to wear! If any of you reading this want something in gold, I can do it!
