Custom jewelry is a timeless and unique way to express your personality and style. As a fine art jewelry designer, I love to create bespoke pieces that mean something to each and every one of the people I work with. Today, I want to share a few things I think you should know when designing custom gold jewelry.

From engagement rings to pendants, the type of gold you choose can make a significant difference in the final product’s appearance, durability, and value. Gold comes in various colors and purities, so it’s essential to choose the right one for your bespoke piece.

The Difference in Gold Karats

Gold karats are used to measure the purity of gold, indicating its composition in terms of gold content. The higher the karat, the purer the gold with 24kt being the purest of them all, made of 99.9% gold. The karat of gold is determined by the amount of alloying it undergoes with other metals, altering its color and properties. This is what brings forth the lovely shades of gold that we have come to know and love, each carrying its unique style and character!

Choosing How Many Gold Karats You Want For Your Custom Jewelry

The percentage of gold purity varies from 24kt to 10kt, with 24kt being the highest and 10kt being the lowest. While 24kt is the purest form of gold, it is rarely used in jewelry due to being malleable, dense, and costly. Instead, 10kt, 14kt, and 18kt are the most common types of gold used in North America. The majority of people choose either 14kt or 18kt for fine jewelry pieces. Don’t worry. You don’t need to be an expert, either. That’s exactly why you work with a custom jewelry designer.

Choosing the Gold Color for Your Custom Jewelry

Beyond considering the purity of the gold, I recommend my clients consider any allergies or sensitivities before choosing the type of gold. For example, white gold is often alloyed with nickel, which can cause a skin rash where the jewelry is worn. If you have sensitive skin, go for a hypoallergenic Palladium alloy instead if you love the look of white gold.

The color of gold plays a significant role in the overall appearance of your custom jewelry. Yellow, white, and rose colors are the most common, but other colors like green, grey, purple, and even blue are available. The specific alloy used determines the color of gold.

Ultimately, your aesthetic preference is the most essential factor in choosing the right karat of gold for your custom jewelry. The higher the karat of gold, the richer and warmer the tone. If you prefer a softer, paler gold, go for 14kt. If you prefer a warm and rich tone, choose 18kt. You can also mix different gold colors when incorporating them into your custom jewelry design.

Consider the Entire Piece You Are Creating

When selecting stones or gems to use in your jewelry, there’s more to consider than just their appearance. The type of gold you choose to use in conjunction with your stones is also an important consideration. While yellow gold is typically easier to work with and can complement many different types of stones, white gold can be a bit more challenging if you’re setting anything other than diamonds or sapphires. By selecting the right combination of metals and precious stones, you can create a truly stunning and unique piece that you’ll treasure for years to come.

Creating Gold Custom Jewelry

Selecting the appropriate type of gold for your bespoke jewelry may appear daunting, but it is a worthy endeavor. By considering factors such as budget, allergies/sensitivities, stones being set, and aesthetic preferences, you can make a well-informed decision that produces beautiful, unique, and perfect custom pieces for you that should last a lifetime. I also recommend that you share any concerns with your jewelry designer or jeweler, as our expertise is at your disposal to help guide you in creating the perfect piece for you. If you would like to learn more about my Bespoke design process, click here. I would love to connect with you.