The North Platte Telegraph Bridal Guide 19
Looking to get engaged soon and choose the ideal ring? There’s a rule in jewelry you might want to strongly consider: Gold never gets old. That’s especially true of classic yellow gold, which is making a comeback among betrothed couples lately. Many are increasingly opting for yellow gold bands instead of cool- toned metals like platinum or white gold. “In 2021, we saw a slight increase in gross sales of yellow gold wedding bands over white or silver-colored rings com- pared to 2020 sales,” says Tim Dobbs, owner of Alpine Rings in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Particularly in hammered gold designs, we’ve noticed an 11% increase in that category over the previous year.” It’s been a while since yellow gold ruled the nuptial roost. Dobbs says that was back in the 1990s and early 2000s. “Eventually, the trend switched over to white gold coloring in the late 2000s. But we are seeing a reverse of this trend now,” he adds. Alan Katz, who owns The Cute Little Wedding Chapel in Long Beach, California, which has wedding bands for sale and who regularly performs marriage ceremonies, can testify to this drift. “Over the past year, we’ve been selling more yellow gold-col- ored rings than silver or black. A recent comment by one of my bridal clients helps explain why. She said that things have been so dreary for the past two years that she wanted to show something on her hand that was bright and colorful rather than bland or dark,” explains Katz. “That made a lot of sense to me. Before the pandemic, each type of ring we offered sold evenly, but now it tends to be more classic yel- low gold.” Anastasia Stevenson, a wedding planner and owner of Savannah, Georgia-based Coastal Creative Events, has also witnessed more yellow-gold than platinum lately among the rings her clients wear on their big day. “Meghan Markle cemented the yellow gold trend by remind- ing everyone of the classic styling that made Princess Diana such a fashion icon in her time,” notes Stevenson. “There are
endless options when choosing yellow gold. Depending on how it is styled, there is no other metal that can look like a timeless antique or hyper-modern design. Its value holds true throughout the years, as gold is consistently one of the most valuable currencies in the world. It will never go out of style, and it complements every skin tone.” Nicole Corsini, marketing manager for Lang Antiques in San Francisco, which boasts a wide selection of vintage jewelry, says yellow gold is typically less expensive than platinum, “and it maintains its color better than white gold.” One disadvantage of yellow gold is that it is a softer metal, especially at 24 carats. That means care must be taken to prevent the ring from being scratched. “Like every metal, yellow gold requires maintenance, and you want to have it polished once a year to buff out any minor scratches,” Stevenson recommends. Dobbs’ biggest piece of advice for new couples seeking wed- ding bands is to not make a quick decision. “Look at as many designs as you can before committing to one particular band. Most couples view the wedding ring used in their ceremony as their forever ring, so it’s important to make sure it’s something that you’ll still want to wear 20 to 30 years down the road,” he says. “Also, consider things like warranty support from your jeweler as well as exchange and return policies—just in case.” Ponder your lifestyle, as well. If you are a busy on-the-go person who uses your hands a lot daily, keep in mind that yellow gold may show wear-and-tear more easily. “Jagged edges that could snag or get dirty easily will quickly become tiresome. This is a type of ring you and your partner will want to wear day in and day out,” Stevenson says. “Speak to your jeweler about your lifestyle, and trust the options that they present to you.” Lastly, Corsini suggests matching metals for both the bride and groom. “One ring should not be softer gold than the other or a differ- ent color,” she advises.
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