GOLD Washington DC

Yellow gold has witnessed A MAJOR resurgence over the past few seasons, a trend not seen since the 1980s. And, judging from the most recent trade shows in Las Vegas and New York, it's not just a fleeting trend but one that keeps getting stronger and evolving, with luxury jewelry designers creating pieces that combine old world and new techniques, as well as cultural influences and a diverse range of finishes and looks.

Simultaneously, as the yellow gold trend evolves, the American Museum of Natural History's exhibit, "Gold," opens in New York City on November 18. It runs for nine months, through August 19, 2007, and should provide a wealth of new inspiration for everyone attending, especially jewelry manufacturers and retailers.

"The exhibition explores the geology of gold in its natural form, as well as the social and political significance of gold in various cultures and civilizations shown through an extraordinary array of ancient to modern-day pieces, including everything from gold nuggets, bars, coins, decorative objects, and gold in popular culture, to a comprehensive selection of jewelry," says Charles Spencer, an anthropologist and co-curator of the exhibit with James Webster.

"We will be showcasing the forms gold takes in its natural state and discussing its properties, malleability, luster, and beauty, and how all of that translates into the whys and ways in which it was mined, processed, and first used by man," says Joel Sweimler, senior exhibition developer.

"Gold" will travel the globe through every civilization and culture, dating back to pre-Columbian pieces from Peru and working its way into the New World through the Inca period until the Spanish conquest.

"Beads and amulets from ancient Egypt as well as early Greek into Roman gold—including the treasures of Troy and Etruscan periods—will be discussed," says Sweimler. "Romans used the same shapes and forms as the Greeks, and there will be a series of earrings with bulls, rams, and giselles. Techniques such as granulation and lost wax casting will be on display in necklaces as well as the revival of this style in Renaissance and 18th and 19th century jewelry."

"Also featured will be Ashanti and Baule big massive gold necklaces, beads, and sandals, giant Indonesian hoop earrings, a gold suite from Yemen, and various techniques and examples of Indian jewelry from the 19th century through present day." Sweimler continues, "There will be forms of decoration, adornments, and antiquities such as sword covers from Japan, Buddhas from China and Tibet, and gold standard money and bullions, such as the first gold coins minted in ancient Lydia (now Turkey)." There will also be several cases of gold coins, bullions, and bars excavated or salvaged from infamous shipwrecks.

"The California Gold Rush as well as the early colonial period in the U.S. will also be covered," adds Spencer. "In addition, we will have a wonderful representation of industrial uses of gold from Europe and America in the 19th and 20th centuries."

Also on view from the early 20th century: gold cigarette cases from Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari's gold coin necklaces, a Paul Flato emerald and diamond necklace owned by Ginger Rogers, and a gold, coral, and malachite Art Nouveau bracelet once worn by actress Joan Allen to the Academy Awards. The later 20th century will be depicted by one-of-a-kind pieces by Paloma Picasso, Tracey Zabar's charm bracelets, and some Italian gold.

"We will also have a section on trophies and awards such as the Oscar statuette, Olympic medals, and gold records," says Sweimler. This section will give a glimpse into modern-day pop culture objects.

There will also be hands-on activities throughout the exhibition, and one which will actually allow visitors to pan for their own gold.