Trends in Gold Jewellery for 2012

A number of trends can be seen in gold this year, with an increasing emphasis on craftsmanship and the designer. The emergence of 'designer jewellery' in India is also making room for the creation of gold ornaments that are trendy and stylish, but still offer the classic value of gold. It also allows you to buy jewellery as an investment, without compromising on style. "Luxury brands are built on the cult of the designer, on a consumer's fascination for the vision and the worlds created by them," states David Lamb, Managing Director of the World Gold Council. "Consumers seek out designers who understand gold's status as the ultimate creative material, and make pieces which encapsulate their personal values and dreams." Moreover, several international fashion labels, which focussed primarily on costume jewellery, are now paying close attention to their lines of fine jewellery. "They acknowledge gold's eternal values with the electric current of couture," Lamb points out. 

As craftsmanship becomes the focus, intricacy in design allows you to make an impact with your jewellery, without wearing very heavy and impractical pieces. Lamb rightfully adds, "The intrinsic malleable quality that gold has allows it to be crafted into delicate, feminine forms." Further to that, with detailing in metal, you can make a great impact by simply wearing a single statement piece. "Opt for one-off statement pieces, as the trend moves away from matching 'sets' of jewellery, which seem as rather old-fashioned to some," suggests Lamb. 

The intricate detailing that gold has been seeing this season is also making room for the metal to become more versatile in terms of purpose in a piece of jewellery. "It has evolved from being merely a setting metal to becoming the star of the show," Lamb elucidates. "Gold is becoming the central point of visual interest in pieces-for example, a solid gold bead as the pendant on a silver chain." Versatility in gold goes a step further this season, with the combination of gold with not just precious gemstones, but also semi-precious stones and other alternative materials. "Even ceramic can be used in supporting combinations of materials," suggests Lamb. "And as gold's versatile status grows, pieces will increasingly celebrate its value and beauty."