MEASURE OF CONTRAST

“Are you able to make a ring in two different colors of gold?” Asked a potential client. In fact, this is a pretty popular question.

The answer is “yes”! However, it’s not easy. Contrasting colors in any design is often the one contributing characteristic that can make a piece interesting. Our eyes are naturally drawn to contrasting colors in our world.

First, it needs to be noted that gold is gold regardless of color. For instance, 14 karat gold is 58.5 percent pure gold and the remaining percentage is made up of other stabilizing metals. Although oversimplified, for the most part, nickel is added to make white gold and copper to make rose gold. This is why one cannot just melt down old rings to make a new one. The metals that once’s complimented each other equally, are now not mixed inconsistently and result in pinholes, pits and clumping. The highest karat that can be made into jewelry is 22 karat and even that is quite fragile.

When creating a “two-tone” piece of fine jewelry, each gold color must be cast separately. Then those pieces are then gold soldered together, ground and polished a hundred times over until perfection is attained. Although the cost increases, it’s primarily for the extra labor time involved.

Is it worth it? Only the person wearing that piece can attest. Contrast either attracts or distracts. It’s impact on you and how you choose to visually surround yourself is completely up to you. Personally, my designs in my home, my attire and relationships all benefit from a certain measure of contrast.

Photo:

Yellow and white, two-tone, 14k gold diamond ring with each prong a different color to represent two individuals coming together for one purpose.