In the last two posts, I wrote about rare and extinct gemstones and mines that have vanished into history. But the most legendary rare material of all is the one holding it all together: Gold.

Gold is something of a miracle. Arriving via meteorites to Earth when it was first forming, the planet was so molten that most of its original gold sank deep into the planet's core – forever out of reach. The gold we use today was delivered much later via a massive meteor bombardment roughly four billion years ago. And geological events like earthquakes and volcanic activity, plus superheated water, brought gold up closer to the surface so that we can mine it. However, because of this cosmic arrival, our supply is fixed and finite—no new gold is being created on Earth. To put that rarity into perspective: it is actually harder to find a one-ounce gold nugget in the wild than it is to find a five-carat diamond.

The "Goldilocks" Metal

Why have humans been so utterly obsessed with it for thousands of years? It boils down to a few unique properties that make it the ultimate "Goldilocks" metal.

First, while most metals are constantly trying to return to the earth—silver tarnishes, copper turns green, iron rusts—gold is chemically noble. It doesn’t react with oxygen, meaning it won’t decay. When archaeologists find gold jewelry in a 3,000-year-old tomb, it looks exactly as it did the day it was buried. That sense of "forever" is why we use it to mark our most important milestones; it is the only material that can truly keep a promise of immortality.

Historically, almost every ancient civilization linked gold to the divine. It is the only metal that possesses that specific, warm yellow hue naturally. This "captured sunlight" gave it a spiritual value that preceded its use as currency. And when it did become money, its incredible density made it the perfect choice. It’s hard to fake, easy to transport, and so rare that all the gold ever mined would fit into roughly four Olympic-sized swimming pools. It is the world's permanent store of value.

From the Bench to the Future

From my point of view at the bench, gold is a dream. It is the most malleable and ductile metal known to man; one single ounce can be pulled into a wire fifty miles long or hammered so thin it becomes a translucent, glowing veil. Despite this softness, it is virtually indestructible and can be re-worked infinitely. For my work, not only do I love working with the material, but 18k yellow gold is the ultimate canvas because it has a richness of hue that sets off the colors of my gemstones unlike anything else.

Today, we covet gold for reasons the Pharaohs never dreamed of. It’s inside your smartphone and even the James Webb Space Telescope. And when the world feels "wobbly," gold becomes the ultimate barometer for global peace of mind. Here in 2026, we are in a "gold rush" of a different kind. Central banks are stockpiling it, and the market is treating it like an emotional safety net.

For an artisan jeweler, this means the "canvas" for my work is becoming as precious as the "paint” – those rare stones in my safe. This is exactly why bespoke design is shifting from a luxury to a necessity. When raw materials are this finite and valuable, we cannot afford to be wasteful. Every grain of gold must have a purpose!

This is where the story gets personal. I know many of you have a drawer of "forgotten" jewels –broken chains, single earrings, or pieces from a past life gathering dust. You are sitting on a literal gold mine. Instead of letting that history sit in the dark, work with me to upcycle your metal and stones. We can reuse or refine your "old" gold with the rare gems I’ve been holding in my safe to create something you’re truly obsessed with.

If you’ve been dreaming of a piece that is one-of-a-kind, I invite you to bring those forgotten pieces into the gallery in Santa Fe or schedule a virtual consultation. Let’s look through my hoard of gems and transform your past into a wearable masterpiece—without the "new metal" price tag.