Sculpted in Silver

Chunky yellow gold wasn’t always the dominant style on the market. While it has been a headliner over several fashion eras—the ’70s and ’80s, and certainly over the last several years—there was a time when everyone was wearing white.

White gold, that is, and sterling silver to boot.

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, Tiffany and Co. became the living end for up-and-coming consumers. They couldn’t get enough of the Return to Tiffany I.D. line, or any other precious Tiffany Blue Box bauble they could get their hands on—almost always in silver. But the jewelry house wasn’t always known for its silver.

It was in 1974 that Tiffany & Co. tapped designer Elsa Peretti (a name that the brand is practically synonymous with now) to design a collection in silver, a metal the house hadn’t carried for more than 25 years. The rest is pretty much history. And the gift of Peretti’s timeless designs keeps on giving—inspiring new generations of jewelry designers and consumers, and continuing to bask in the spotlight. (Peretti’s signature Bone cuff bracelets have seen multiple red carpet placements in silver and yellow gold just this year.)

Last December saw a collaboration by Aurate and design house Halston, which throbbed with Peretti vibes. British designer Liv Luttrell released a line of sculptural rings in the fall of 2021. And the list goes on, and will no doubt continue to do so.

Yellow gold still has the edge, it’s true—but as two-tone styles begin to rise in popularity, the case for pairing those gold goodies with sterling silver becomes easier to make. And as the holidays grow ever closer, it’s the pieces that can be both artfully made and accessibly priced that warrant the best gift-giving, whether customers are seeking sweets for someone special or themselves.

While the most sculpted of designs possess of-the-moment vibes, they’ll pique consumer interest in all silver styles this year and likely into next. And as some seek to stretch their dollars a bit further this holiday, silver will be a top choice for jewelry purchasers checking off their lists.