H
umanity’s love affair with gold predates the dawn
of civilisation and stretches back to at least 4000
BC. Historically, it’s always been the pursuit of
the shiny yellow incarnation of this most precious
of metals that has set brother against brother,
toppled dynasties and seen countless thousands perish in
search of a promising seam.
In times more contemporary, however, it seems the
metal’s natural lustre may have lost something of its allure.
Increasingly, the world’s leading jewellery houses are opting
for artfully-rendered alloys, an indulgence that has seen pink
and, particularly, white gold become the mainstays of many
marques’ latest collections.
The ever-wider use of white gold is down to two factors.
Firstly, as an alloy made from fusing the relatively softer
gold with palladium, a firmer metal, it is stronger than its
constituent parts, yet very malleable. It is then coated with
rhodium, which enhances both its shine and its strength,
making it perfect for fashioning intricately-designed trinkets.
Secondly, for the uninitiated, white gold is visibly
indistinguishable from platinum, a far rarer metal. This gives
white gold jewellery the look and feel of items valued well
above its actual price tag.
Despite such advantages, there is something of a
downside. Over time – and as the rhodium coating begins
to wear thin – yellow flecks begin to show through,
visually degrading the appeal of any such jewellery pieces.
Thankfully, however, a suitably skilled jeweller can reapply a
layer of rhodium on them. This not only restores their lustre
but also ensures they can be passed down from generation
to generation as wholly unblemished heirlooms.
igafencu.com 79
Cartier Magicien
Luminance necklaceBulgari B.Zero1
braceletChanel Maud ring
Tiffany Paper
Flower earrings“White gold has now become the
mainstay of many jewellery marques’
latest collections”
Chaumet Joséphine Aigrette
Impériale necklace