Mixing metals can mean either mixing the type of metal or the color of metals. This means mixing yellow gold with white gold, or mixing yellow gold with sterling silver. The latter being much more forward thinking for designers and artists today.
The Old Rule That Never Made Sense
Some have held the belief that you simply can't mix different metal colors and types in your jewelry. But what if you like both yellow gold, as well as white metals like silver, white gold and platinum? Should you only focus on one metal at a time?
Today a tasteful layering of yellow gold and the warm tone on your skin can make you glow. But what if you have a beautiful white gold and diamond bracelet or pendant, should you save that for another day or outfit?
Experts from leading fashion authority like Vogue suggest that combining metals is more timely than ever.
The Shift in Contemporary Styling and Value
While the two-tone metal trend is up and coming, designers have started mixing the metal as a way to offer better price on pieces, with gold prices at record highs. Silver remains fairly affordable, so offering the metal paired with real yellow gold makes fine jewelry pieces more within reach with the same quality and beauty as the all-gold pieces.
But truly mixing metals in one piece is not something every jeweler or designer can do, as it requires skill and precision. While gold and silver are both precious metals, they have very different properties. Different melting points for one make crafting them together in one piece something only very skilled craftspeople can do. But the result can be absolutely beautiful pieces.
Why Mixed Metals Matter
Phillip Gavriel has been designing mixed metal jewelry since the inception of the brand almost 20 years ago. The combination of choice for Phillip Gavriel is 18k yellow gold, and sterling silver. This combination gives contrast and offers the most versatility for wear. So you can wear a mixed metal piece by itself, or layer those pieces with other yellow gold, white gold, silver, or platinum pieces.
What You're Really Getting
When you choose mixed metal jewelry, you're getting pieces that work with almost everything in your jewelry box. You can layer a mixed metal piece easily.
But beware of things that looked like mixed metal, as they may not have both metals in their piece. There are a great deal of “plated” yellow gold pieces, which are only a coating of gold on top of another metal. Sometimes they will be called “solid silver and gold” but only the silver part is solid and the yellow pieces are plated and within a few months the color will fade. Ask questions if you aren’t sure, and work with a trusted and reputable retail store or company.
Your Next Move
If you are looking for some pieces to start your mixed metal jewelry collection here are some perfect options that will fit into anyone's style!