Feminine, timeless, and elegant are just some of the many words used to describe women's gold jewelry. It doesn't matter whether you're entering high school or far past retirement—every woman deserves to own a collection of gold necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more. If you're looking for the perfect present for a lovely lady in your life or considering treating yourself, gold jewelry designs are the best place to start.
From sophisticated gold multi-stone necklaces to dazzling hoops, there’s something for everyone. Learn how to find the right piece for you and your style with our helpful guidance.
Why is Women's Gold Jewelry So Popular?
While your personal aesthetic may evolve over the years, one thing remains consistent: gold never goes out of style. A simple gold paper clip necklace or decadent gold diamond ring can bring a traditional allure to any outfit. Versatile, classic, and available in an array of shades, gold is a staple piece for any woman's wardrobe.
Gold is also one of the most durable metals on the market, making it perfect for daily wear. When you collect women's gold jewelry, you can don your gold rings, necklaces, and earrings without fear of rust, scratches, or corrosion.
Buying fine jewelry is also often seen as a huge investment, and gold is literally worth its weight. This precious metal holds its value, so the gold cross necklace you buy now will still be valuable decades down the line. Women's gold jewelry is more than an accessory—it's a tangible asset that can remain in your family for generations to come.
What Does Gold Jewelry Symbolize?
Gold jewelry represents wealth and abundance, making it the best accessory for celebrating achievements and showing status. For others, a simple gold necklace or band can act as a protective amulet against evil and harm. Regardless of what symbolism you believe it to have, one thing is sure: it's eternally stylish.
How Many Pieces of Gold Jewelry Should a Woman Own?
Sometimes, a simple white gold wedding band is enough to make an outfit feel complete. Other times, layers of gold necklaces and stacks of matching earrings are a better fit. For a complete set, it's a smart idea for a woman to own at least one pair of gold earrings, a necklace, a couple of bracelets, and one or two rings. That way, they can dress their outfit up and down to suit any occasion.
5 Steps to Building Your Women's Gold Jewelry Collection
Before you start shopping, it's important to know what you're looking for. Between women's wedding band styles, everyday staple gold necklaces, and more, there are tons of styles and designs to sift through. Simplify the process by considering these five factors before you browse:
1. Find a Flattering Shade of Gold
The first step to building a collection of women's gold jewelry is determining which shade looks best on you. Head to your local jewelry shop or try on pieces you already own and look in the mirror to see what accentuates your beauty best. This can be based on hair color, skin tone, or personal style preference—everybody's unique.
Start by figuring out what your undertones are. If you have warmer, golden hues in your skin, yellow or rose gold make great options. Wearing white gold or platinum gold necklaces complements cooler undertones, like pink or blue. If you have neutral undertones, you can mix-and-match which ever shades of gold you wish.
The 3 Main Shades of Gold Women's Jewelry:
- Yellow gold: with the classic glowing hue gold is often known for, this shade can be found in a range of karats to suit every budget.
- Rose gold: with a feminine pink hue, this romantic shade uses a blend of copper and gold to offer versatility and glam.
- White gold: with a silvery appearance and a sleek, contemporary look, this shade is often mixed with other metals to enhance its durability and style.
2. Choose an Appropriate Karat
A gold necklace's purity (and consequently, its price tag) is measured in karats—but what does that mean for you and your collection? When it comes to building your dream set of gold jewelry, that little K is a key factor in shopping for pieces you can treasure for a lifetime. As you shop, consider how often you plan to wear these pieces when debating karats.
As you learn about gold jewelry karats, it's important to note that the higher the purity, the softer the material. If you're looking for a gold necklace or pair of earrings you can wear every single day, you should stick to 14K or 18K designs that are built to last through daily wear and tear. While 24K offers unbeatable shine and purity, it's known for wearing down quicker, making it suitable for special occasion pieces that will only be worn infrequently.
Types of Gold Jewelry Karats:
- 14K gold: made up of 58% gold and 42% various alloyed metals, this karat is a popular, durable, and affordable option for gold jewelry.
- 18K gold: made up of 75% gold and 25% various alloyed metals, this karat has a rich yellow hue and is considered the most traditional blend for women's gold jewelry.
- 24K gold: made up of 100% gold, this karat, while valuable, requires delicate care and is not considered a very wearable option.
3. Consider Your Personal Style
Once you've determined the perfect shade and karat for your look and budget, it's time to consider the most important aesthetic detail—your unique style. When shopping for individual pieces, you have to picture what they would look like when worn with your wardrobe.
Luckily, there are women's gold jewelry options for every look. Are you a minimalist? Try matching a simple gold necklace chain with your chic gold wedding band for a subtle pop of personality. Do you prefer over-the-top accessories to match your Avant-garde look? Try layering multiple gold necklaces, bangle bracelets, and statement earrings to draw all eyes to you.
The best way to build a cohesive set of women's gold jewelry is to find a designer brand you love and stick to it. From David Yurman to IPPOLITA, each one has a unique and renowned style, instantly recognizable by jewelry lovers around the globe. Browse through the respected designers in our store to find gold necklaces, rings, cuffs, and more that match your wardrobe.
4. Consider Everyday Designs vs Special Occasions
When building your set of women's gold jewelry, it's important to keep one question in mind: "Where would I wear this?" As you shop, make sure that you have options for both everyday wear and special occasions. For instance, your daily designs may be more durable to handle your activities and suit your day-to-day style, while your special occasion pieces may be more glamorous or feature fancy gemstones to make milestones, birthdays, and celebrations even more memorable.
5. Start Small and Build From There
When you first start out, begin by buying only one or two matching designs that you can picture yourself loving for decades to come. While you could stop at just one or two gold necklace pendants, where's the fun in that? Once you know those pieces suit your style, you can start expanding your collection until you have a versatile assortment of wearable women's gold jewelry at your disposal.
No collection of women's gold jewelry is complete without a variety of designs that can be worn together and apart. Whether you prefer the cohesive look of plain gold bands or the vibrancy of gemstone embellishments, owning multiple pieces that can be mixed and matched is the key to creating your collection.
Must-Have Gold Jewelry Pieces for Your Collection
To truly delve into the timeless beauty of gold, you should focus on buying at least one or two (if not more) pieces from each of these categories:
Versatile Gold Earrings
Is there anything better than spotting a lustrous flash of gold during a hair toss? Gold earrings are the definition of luxury, whether you prefer subtle studs or oversized hoops. As you shop for earrings, consider styles that would work with your go-to hairdos and lifestyle routines.
What Gold Earrings Can You Wear 24/7?
Taking off earrings at the end of the day can be a hassle, especially if they're a crucial piece to your women's gold jewelry collection. With premium durability and a consistent shine, 14K gold is the best option for those who want to live in their studs and hoops. Just remember to remove your jewelry periodically to give them a good, thorough clean.
Our 7 Most Popular Earring Styles
Earrings have been a staple in women's gold jewelry collections for hundreds of years. As you shop, select a style that feels as good as it looks:
- Stud: small, minimal, and close to the ear lobe, a stub earring is the simplest and smallest type.
- Drop: dainty and feminine, a drop earring features gemstones and charms hanging slightly off of the earlobe.
- Dangle: full of movement and decorative style, a dangle earring hangs off the earlobe and swings as you move.
- Hoop: available in all shapes and sizes, a hoop earring are open circles that loop through the piercing.
- Huggie: delicate and stylish, a huggie earring is a smaller version of the hoop, "hugging" close to the ear lobe.
- Climber: an extension of a stud earring, a climber earring creates the illusion of multiple piercings with an extended embellishment angled up the ear lobe.
- Jacket: secured to the front of the ear, like a stud, a jacket earring's main display reaches around or drops down from the back of the ear lobe.
Brilliant Gold Necklaces
If you're looking for the perfect elegant piece for your collection, you can't go wrong with a gold necklace. Our high-end designs scream luxury, whether you prefer a simple chain, a statement pendant, or a bedazzled diamond rope necklace. With options available for every budget, gold necklaces are the ultimate accessory.
Stunning Gold Bracelets
When you wear a gold bracelet, every flick of the wrist is eye-catching. Gold David Yurman bracelets are the perfect way to tie together your entire set of women's gold jewelry. Decide between classic yellow gold tennis bracelets, layer-able cuffs, gemstone bangles, and more—or pair multiple designs together for a completely customizable bracelet stack.
Beautiful Gold Rings
From white gold engagement rings to stylish stacks, rings are often the most commonly worn item in a jewelry box. Find one or two golden diamond rings that match your set for a classic and sophisticated style, or stock up multiple gold pearl rings, bands, and halo styles to change up your look for every single outfit. Discover ones with tiny, inset gemstones to give a flash of color or mix metals with other rings—the choice is yours.
What Metals Can You Mix with Women's Gold Jewelry?
While an all-gold set of women's jewelry never fails to amaze, mixing metals is a popular trend anyone can try. If you love the modern look of multiple metals, you're in luck: any gold design can be paired with silver, platinum, and other shades of gold and look flawless.
Pro tip: incorporate one or two pieces that blend gold with the other metal to give the accessories an overall cohesive look.
How to Care for Women's Gold Jewelry
When it comes to women's gold jewelry, the key to a long and happy lifespan is a proper cleaning routine. Every so often, let your designer pieces soak in a solution of warm water and gentle soap, scrubbing with a soft brush to get rid of any dirt and debris. Then, polish it with a specialized cloth to give it that famous shine. When in doubt, bring it into your local jewelry repair shop for a thorough cleaning and polishing every few years!
Whether you're searching for one or two gold necklaces to add to your existing collection or starting from scratch, our experts are ready to help you find your next piece of women's gold jewelry. Visit one of our stores and inquire about our fantastic list of designer brands to get started today.
