SKYROCKETING PRICE OF GOLD + DOLLAR IN THE CRAPPER =
Hello silver, brass and pewter! (And a sprinkling of gold vermeil and leather, too.)
I took a peak at Barney's to see what was going on in the jewelry front. A year ago, 18kt gold reigned supreme. Here is a sampling of what I found today. Many of the pieces are fantastic but I've got to say, some of these prices are going to take some mental adjustment.
Jill Platner
Axis Bracelet
$1,250.00
Maria Rudman Rambali
Pewter Brown Leather Bracelet
$325.00
Rettore
Brass Buckle Bangle
$950.00
Aurora Lopez
ID Bracelet
$400.00 
Antonio Palladino
Gold Snake Bracelet
$2,635.00
$2600+ for vermeil???? It's a sign of the times I guess.
Yikes.
2 comments:
IT'S ALL HAND MADE.TRY TO DO IT YOURSELF AND UNDERSTAND THE PEACE THAT IS. .!!
Hi Buba,
I did used to make jewelry which I sold privately and at a couple of Los Angeles boutiques. I had my own torch, and I did my own wax carving (which I would then take to be cast). I totally understand, respect and love such fine work and I absolutely adore the pieces I included in the post. I included them because I love them. I only wish I could buy one of each.
If I sounded like I was being disrespectful of the work, that was certainly not my intention. I was simply reacting to the fact that the pieces I love are becoming more and more inaccessible due to increasing raw material costs. I have been in Ross Metals, for example, here in New York several times over the past few years. (Ross sells supplies to jewelers including precious metals.) I have seen the rise in the prices of gold, silver and platinum.
The other thing I was reacting to was how stores like Barney's seem to be showing a renewed interest in silver, brass and pewter. Pieces in these metals are front and center now, whereas a year or two ago, gold pieces dominated the displays and website for that matter. I simply thought it was interesting that perhaps the rising cost of gold have caused retailers and consumers to become more interested in beautiful pieces that are made from less expensive metals.
Hopefully that clears that up and I no longer offend you! I certainly didn't mean to.
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