I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the high price of gold this year. Is it too expensive? Should I wait for prices to come down? Have I missed the boat? And here's my answer: I think now is a good time to buy gold jewelry, but I would be much more concerned with WHAT you're buying than WHEN you're buying it. Gold has had an extraordinary few years, reaching historic highs and experiencing some pretty dramatic swings. But after more than a decade of buying, designing, and sourcing fine jewelry, I can tell you that the pieces I get most excited about have very little to do with what gold happens to be trading at that morning.

Gold Prices Are High. Does That Mean Jewelry Is Overpriced?

Not necessarily! 

Gold prices are constantly moving, influenced by everything from inflation and interest rates to what's happening around the world. But here's where I think people get a little too caught up in the price of gold itself. A beautifully made piece of jewelry is so much more than the value of the metal! When we’re sourcing vintage jewelry, I'm thinking about the weight, the proportions, the finish, and the skill it took to get every detail just right. Those are the things that separate a really exceptional piece from an ordinary one. And personally, I would much rather spend more on a piece with incredible craftsmanship and design than get a great deal on something that doesn't make my heart skip a beat.

Why I Think Vintage Gold Is Especially Interesting Right Now

With gold prices at such elevated levels, vintage and estate jewelry deserves a very close look. When the raw material itself is this expensive, just imagine what it would cost to recreate some of the incredible gold jewelry made decades, or even centuries, ago!

Think substantial 1940s gold bracelets, wonderfully sculptural rings from the 1970s, and Victorian chains with the most intricate details. Many of these pieces were made using techniques that would be expensive to reproduce today. And when you consider the amount of gold, the craftsmanship, and the design that went into them, I think some vintage pieces offer a particularly compelling proposition in today's market.

When you find a really exceptional piece, you're getting so much more than its weight in gold. You're getting craftsmanship, character, and a design that has already stood the test of time. 

Should You Wait for Prices to Come Down?

Personally, I wouldn't try to time the gold market when buying fine jewelry. If you're buying gold purely as an investment, that's one thing. But if you're buying a piece of jewelry you plan to wear and enjoy for the next 20 or 30 years, I think it's a completely different conversation!

Let's say you come across an incredible antique gold bracelet. The condition is exceptional, the proportions are just right, and it's exactly the sort of piece you've been hunting for. Would I tell you to walk away because gold might be cheaper in six months? Absolutely not! Particularly with vintage and estate jewelry, you may never come across that exact piece again.

That said, I DO think today's gold prices are a very good reason to be more discerning about what you buy. Pay attention to the gold content, look closely at the construction, and make sure you're paying for great design and craftsmanship, not just an impressive amount of gold. And remember, a higher gold price doesn't automatically make every piece of gold jewelry more valuable.

My philosophy has always been to buy fewer, better things. And I think that's particularly good advice in today's market!

So, Is Now a Good Time to Buy Gold?

My answer is yes!

I would never encourage anyone to rush into a purchase because they're worried prices might go up, and I certainly don't think you should stretch your budget to do so. But would I pass on an exceptional piece of jewelry that I absolutely loved because gold might be cheaper six months from now? Not a chance!

Gold has been coveted for thousands of years, and its price will continue to go up and down. What interests me far more is finding jewelry with exceptional craftsmanship, interesting proportions, and a design that I'll be just as excited to wear 30 years from now!