A Glimmer of History: Understanding the World of Gold
nicole gluckmanAt NIXIN, we often talk about the soul of a stone—the way an opal captures a galaxy or a sapphire holds the deep blue of the sea. But today, I wanted to take a moment to talk about the stage these stones perform upon: Gold.
Gold is more than just a metal—it is a symbol of stability and light. Though as of late, ‘stable’ and ‘gold’ seem a bit more like oxymorons. You may have noticed recent headlines or heard chatter around gold prices reaching historic heights. It’s not just a blip—it’s a fascinating moment in history, and since it affects the world of fine jewelry that we both love, I’d like to share the "why" behind the numbers, what it means for us both, and spotlight a golden opportunity.
A Brief History of Gold Prices
For much of the 20th century, gold was a steady, quiet companion to the dollar. In fact, until 1971, its price was largely fixed by the government. It wasn't until President Nixon ended the gold standard (yes, this is where the idiom “gold standard” comes from) that the metal began its modern journey as a free-floating global asset.
To give you a sense of that journey:
1971: Gold was approximately $40 per ounce.
2000: It hovered around $280 per ounce.
Early 2026: We are witnessing an extraordinary era, with gold recently crossing the $5,000 per ounce mark for the first time in history.
To put that into perspective, that’s an increase of $40 per ounce (or 600%) in the first 30-year period, and a jump of $4,720 per ounce (or 1,685%) over the subsequent 30-year span!
And this graph provides a striking visual of gold’s economic journey from 1920 to the present—most notably, the doubling of its price over just the last two years.
Why the Recent Surge in gold Prices?
When the world feels a little "noisy"—whether due to global economic shifts, a desire for stability, or central banks around the world increasing their reserves—investors return to gold. It is seen as a "haven," a tangible asset that holds its value when currencies fluctuate.
Think of it as the ultimate anchor. Because gold is a finite resource that is increasingly rare to mine, this high global demand naturally pushes the price upward. We don’t see it as a cause for alarm, but rather a testament to why gold has been cherished for millennia: it is a lasting store of beauty and value.
What This Means for the NIXIN Family
As a small studio, I hand-select every stone with intention and design each piece of jewelry myself. While the rising cost of materials is a reality for all jewelers, each responds to major market shifts in their own way. I have always believed in being transparent with my NIXIN family.
Here is the silver (or rather, gold) lining: Because I work in small batches, my pieces are based on gold rates at the time of production. Thus, many of the items currently in the shop have been crafted and priced based on former gold rates. I will keep these pieces at their original prices for as long as my current production allows, but changes are pending. For me, success looks like entrusting these future heirlooms to the collectors who resonate with their stories—and I find quiet fulfillment in honoring their original, legacy valuations for as long as possible.
I genuinely hope this information provides you with the context to better understand this quickly evolving gold landscape. Future designs will continue to reflect market prices, and while we do not have a crystal ball (well, not unless you include this one), major commodities researchers like J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs predict that the price of gold will continue to rise.
For now, we watch the market in awe, we continue to dream and create, and we share this information with you so that you can decide if a piece feels right for you in this unique window of time. There are some ✨ golden opportunities ✨ on site that we may (or may not) see again for some time, waiting to be taken advantage of.
QUESTION: How do I know which pieces on NIXINjewelry.com are priced based on former gold rates?
ANSWER: You can always contact us to ask about a specific piece. But here are some easy guidelines you can follow:
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY GUIDELINES:
BY PRICE:
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- If it’s $2,000 or less, it was likely priced before recent market spikes. (For example, this piece.)
BY COLLECTION:
BY PIECE:
