If your jewelry wishlist reads like a novel, you’re probably spiraling just a little about gold—and honestly? Fair. Prices are climbing and if you’re dreaming up a custom ring or eyeing a fine jewelry treat, you’re probably wondering: Should I buy now or wait it out? Is this the gold rush 2.0? Are we spiraling into financial doom? (Short answer: no.)
Let’s break it all down—what’s cooking with gold prices, why it matters for your fine jewelry wishlist, and how to shop smart through it all.
Why Are Gold Prices So High?
If you’ve been anywhere near the news—or your favorite jeweler’s Instagram—you know gold just hit $4,000 per ounce for the first time ever. That’s a more than 50% climb in the past year alone, and yes, the jewelry world is feeling it.
So what’s behind the spike? It’s a perfect storm of economic and political unease: recession fears, shaky politics, falling interest rates, and a inconsistent U.S. dollar have all made gold the emotional support metal of choice. And it’s not just nervous individual investors—governments and large investment funds are also stockpiling.
Gold tends to shine when things feel uncertain—especially because it's seen as a stable, universal asset. It holds its value even when other investments (like stocks or currencies) dip. And when the U.S. dollar loses strength, gold just looks better and better to investors around the world.
On top of that, new tariffs and ongoing supply chain slowdowns are making it harder (and more expensive) to get gold where it needs to go. So you've got more people trying to buy gold, and less of it moving freely. That combo pushes prices even higher.
While that might be good news for investors, it means gold is now a much pricier ingredient in the jewelry kitchen. But no need to panic. Your jewelry dreams are still very much alive—and we’ve got all the creative tricks to make them happen.
Gold Price History (and Why It Keeps Going Up)
This isn’t gold’s first price hike. It’s been rising steadily for decades—and like clockwork, it tends to spike when the world gets a little uncertain:
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2001: After 9/11 and the dot-com crash, gold hovered around $275/oz
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2008: The financial crisis pushed it past $1,000/oz
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2020: Pandemic fears drove it to almost $2,000/oz
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2025: Now we’re at an all-time high: $4,000/oz and counting
Seeing the pattern? When the world gets rocky, gold climbs higher—and it rarely goes back to where it started. This surge might feel dramatic, but it’s actually just gold doing what it always does: rising over time, crisis by crisis.
Turns out your jewelry addiction was actually financial planning all along. Who knew? ;)
How This Impacts Your Ring Order (Ready-to-Ship vs Custom vs Made-to-Order)
So what does all this mean if you’ve got your eye on a Gem Breakfast ring? Whether you're lusting over a one-of-a-kind ready-to-ship piece or dreaming up a custom design, rising gold prices are part of the mix—but don’t worry, we’ve got you.
Ready-to-Ship Rings
These pieces are kind of the unsung heroes right now. Since many of these were made before gold hit its record highs, they’re priced based on last year’s much lower gold rates. That means many of them are seriously underpriced —literal steals.
If we were to recreate the same designs today? They’d cost more. So when we say “once they’re gone, they’re gone,” we really mean it. And yes, you can break up your payments using Affirm or ShopPay—so you don’t have to wait to grab your forever ring.
Shop our collection of one-of-a-kind, ready-to-ship rings here.
Made-to-Order Rings and Fine Jewelry
These gems are cooked to order—crafted fresh just for you and priced based on the current gold market. Yes, rising prices have nudged the numbers up, but we’re absorbing a good chunk of those increases behind the scenes so you can still afford to treat yourself.
Shop our made-to-order wedding rings and stacking rings here.
Custom Engagement Rings or Treat-Yourself Custom Rings
Dreaming up something from scratch? With custom, your gold price locks in once you place your 75% deposit—so you’re safe from any price jumps after that. The remaining 25% isn’t due until your ring is finished (usually 6–10 weeks later).
Explore our Custom Ring Process or book your free virtual consult today.
Which Rings Are Most Affected by Gold Prices?
Gold-forward designs—like solid wedding bands, chunky stackers, and gold rings without big stones—feel the impact most. These styles are made almost entirely of gold, so when prices spike, the difference is more noticeable.
If you’ve been eyeing one of these gold-heavy pieces, now might be the perfect time to shop before the next price jump.
How to Stretch Your Gold Budget without Losing the Sparkle
If rising gold prices in 2025 have you side‑eyeing your ring wishlist, don’t worry—there are smart, chef‑style hacks to keep your sparkle high and your spend lower.
Swap Karats: 14k vs 18k
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14k gold is made of 58.3% pure gold, which means more alloy metals, which = lower cost and better durability for everyday wear.
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18k gold is made of 75% pure gold, giving that richer gold hue but at a higher price and slightly softer metal.
Bottom line: If your budget is tight or you have an active lifestyle (hello gardeners, chefs, and the accident-prone among us), 14k is a savvy move. If it’s in the budget and you treat your ring gently, 18k may be worth it.
opt for designs with less gold
Thicker bands and heavy bezels? Gorgeous, but they use more gold. Want to keep the price down? Think slim (but not too slim - we still need durability) bands, prong settings, and minimal metal accents. The look is still luxe, but you’ll see less of a price hike from gold costs.
Plus, timing is everything. Many of our in-stock ready-to-ship rings were made when gold was cheaper—so you’re getting a deal just by shopping what’s already cooked.
Your gold questions answered
Why is gold so expensive right now?
Because the world’s feeling a little wobbly. Inflation is high, the U.S. dollar is weak, and global uncertainty is making gold the go-to safety net. Central banks are stocking up, supply chains are still messy, and with more demand and less supply, prices have shot past $4,000/oz for the first time ever.
Why is jewelry so expensive right now?
Gold is a big part of it—it’s risen over 50% in the past year alone. Add in tariffs and slower supply chains, and suddenly that same ring costs alot more to make.
Will gold go to $5,000 an ounce?
It’s possible. Experts say it depends on things like inflation, interest rates, and how the global economy plays out. If the chaos keeps coming, gold could keep climbing.
Is gold about to skyrocket?
It already has—but some experts think it could go even higher if inflation sticks around and the world stays unpredictable. Others think prices might level out if things calm down. Either way, gold’s sitting at record highs.
What will 1 oz of gold be worth in 5 years?
No one knows for sure, but some forecasts say it could pass $5,000/oz if current trends continue. Gold tends to rise when the world feels uncertain—and lately, that’s been the mood.
Gold’s climbing, but don't stress
If you’ve been eyeing a ready-to-ship ring or dreaming up a custom ring, now’s actually a pretty smart time to shop. Many ready-to-ship pieces still reflect last year’s gold prices—aka, low-key steals. And with custom, your gold rate locks in when you place your deposit so your price is safe even if gold keeps climbing.
Not sure what makes the most sense for you? Let’s talk through gold vs. platinum, 14k vs. 18k, or ways to make your dream ring work within your budget. Book a free virtual consult and let’s chat →