Gold jewelry is a staple in the jewelry industry, and May is the de facto month to celebrate it. When the Richline Group unveiled its annual May Is Gold Month promotion more than two decades ago, it became an event that both its merchant partners and admiring retailers alike championed. While Richline enlisted jewelry influencers like @GemGossip to dish on sentimental gold styles, others in the industry made their own fun social media posts to entice potential gold jewelry shoppers to buy.

Manufacturer Ostbye leans into the promotion each year with new designs. “Gold is in fashion, and we have added several new designs in each category—pendants, earrings, rings, and bridal—to highlight gold,” says Theresa Namie, merchandise manager.

Ryan Gems

And while gold prices are nearly $3,000 an ounce, that’s not diminishing the collector’s desire for gold jewelry. To keep offering in-style designs, manufacturers will make lighter weight or lower karat gold numbers or innovate production in other ways, like direct resin casting.

Meanwhile, retailers continue to gear up for spring jewelry gifting occasions, despite metal prices. Makers are eager to assist.

“We’re proud to provide lightning-fast manufacturing from our on-site USA factory,” posts Ryan Gems, Inc. on its Instagram feed. “At Ryan Gems, every piece tells a story of dedication and artistry.”

When gold prices are high, jewelry designs must adapt—nobody wants to price collectors out of the market. Typically, manufacturers look to make lighter pieces, ones with negative space, or use lower karat gold to keep a lid on costs, but other new techniques continually arise that make gold jewelry production faster, easier, and more innovative.

A case in point: production ideas from ODI and its manufacturing partners. Its product development team constantly experiments with different tools, materials, and finishes to determine what new products can be brought to market.

“ODI’s factory and our partners have always been on the cutting edge of new technologies, like CNC and laser cutting, microfusion, direct resin casting (DRC), microplating, enamel, ceramic, and more,”  says Valerie Fletcher, vice president of design and product development for ODI. “We share ideas and observations about new trends and machinery we see in our markets and at jewelry shows, giving us an international view of the industry and a better perspective on where the trends are going.

This year’s technological triumph? Lightweight DRC bracelets in gold.

“The design is made on CAD and then printed as a complete piece in castable resin,” continues Fletcher. “Once casted, supports are removed and links are complete with fluid motion, and no soldering. And they are very light and affordable.”

Another new collection is called Spun Gold, comprising solid gold wires of different gauges used to create different jewelry styles without casting. The benefit is that the wire is solid and durable, allowing ODI to make thin filaments that are strong enough to be fashioned into jewelry and retain their shape.

“Plus, it’s nonporous, with a beautiful, high-polish surface that is lightweight when compared to casted jewelry,” adds Fletcher.

SHEFI Diamonds has unveiled a single-cast broad-link texture bracelet that has been a strong performer thanks to its seamless construction and intricate texture. SHEFI is also creating movable jewelry with interactive elements that are “unique and engaging for the wearer,” says Surbhi Jain, marketing director.

Innovative and in-demand processes may be easier for Quality Gold to implement thanks to its U.S.-based manufacturing facility. The company offers engraving and sizing on select products, 3D printing, and state-of-the-art lasers to pave new directions in personalization and custom on-demand jewelry. The company’s gold manufacturing prowess developed due to client demand; the company was founded when David Langhammer ran out of space in his car’s trunk to house the gold chains he sold on the road. Quality Gold’s goal is to stock or ship products to clients the same day they’re ordered so merchants can maintain lower inventory levels.

     Original Designs/ODI

More fun offerings from SHEFI include diamonds in enamel and diamonds in mother-of-pearl. These are prevalent throughout the market but are nonetheless pretty and serve an economical purpose—enamel is glass and mother-of-pearl is shell, which are less expensive components to use.

“These combinations add character and versatility to our pieces while keeping them lightweight and wearable,” notes Jain.