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Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal Modern
With gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
A Chris Ploof ring featuring diamonds set in Modern Electrum with a milgrain row pattern ($1,325). Modern Electrum, made by Italy-based metal company Legor, is a recreation of the naturally occurring alloy—electrum—that was used by the ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and Turks.
Leominster, Mass.—Chris Ploof’s latest collection, “Modern Electrum,” is the first jewelry line to feature a newly created alloy by the same name.
Modern Electrum is a modern interpretation of electrum, a naturally occurring blend of gold and silver that was used in the ancient world.
The Egyptians used electrum atop their pyramids and obelisks, and electrum coins were traded by the Turks, Greeks, and Romans until the Romans banned its use in the 1st century AD in favor of pure gold and pure silver.
These electrum coins can be found in museums today.
The modern alloy was created and patented by Italy-based metal company Legor, who was tasked by Diamonds de Canada with recreating the historical alloy.
In the process, metallurgists discovered that the original composition also included platinum group metals.
Modern Electrum is composed of gold, silver, palladium, and platinum.
It does not use nickel or copper and is a non-tarnishing metal.
It is priced at $650 an ounce.
This competes with other precious metals as gold reached $4,540, platinum hit $1,960, and silver sat at $76 as of press time.
Modern Electrum is a modern interpretation of electrum, a naturally occurring blend of gold and silver that was used in the ancient world.
The Egyptians used electrum atop their pyramids and obelisks, and electrum coins were traded by the Turks, Greeks, and Romans until the Romans banned its use in the 1st century AD in favor of pure gold and pure silver.
These electrum coins can be found in museums today.
The modern alloy was created and patented by Italy-based metal company Legor, who was tasked by Diamonds de Canada with recreating the historical alloy.
In the process, metallurgists discovered that the original composition also included platinum group metals.
Modern Electrum is composed of gold, silver, palladium, and platinum.
It does not use nickel or copper and is a non-tarnishing metal.
It is priced at $650 an ounce.
This competes with other precious metals as gold reached $4,540, platinum hit $1,960, and silver sat at $76 as of press time.
The “Jiangyin” ring with diamonds from Diamonds de Canada in Modern Electrum ($1,527)
The “Reliquary” pendant in Modern Electrum ($1,065)
A Modern Electrum ring featuring a ridged center groove ($993)
The “Yanone” pendant in Modern Electrum ($695)
The “Parth” ring made in Modern Electrum cut on an antique rose engine lathe ($1,078)
Ploof was chosen as the first American designer to create jewelry with Modern Electrum for his metalsmithing skills, the brand said.
“I have always been a metal lover, but the story of Modern Electrum, with its incredible properties and its unique provenance, really excites me,” said Ploof.
“Legor’s new alloy recreates the ancient alloy with a proprietary blend of silver, gold, and platinum metals like palladium. It does not tarnish, corrode, or rust. It has a beautiful warmth to it and an energy that is palpable.”
Ploof continued, “This new collection offers the right price at the right time, without sacrificing preciousness, beauty, or value.”
The Modern Electrum collection retails from $935 to $2,195.
It includes rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants in Modern Electrum, with some styles accented by Diamonds de Canada’s diamonds from the Gahcho Kué mine that have a natural florescence.
Diamonds de Canada CEO Benjamin King said, “Natural diamonds with a naturally occurring ancient alloy combine to create a meaningful story for the modern consumer, offering attractive new price points and a cachet as brilliant as the diamonds themselves.”
Ploof also noted that he’s already seen consumers’ positive response to the collection.
Ploof’s Modern Electrum collection is slated to debut during Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week.
It will be exhibited at the CBG Show from May 26-27 at Ceasars Palace in the “Curated Designer Project” area.
It can also be seen at JCK from May 29 to June 1 in the Endless Designs booth #10055.
Modern Electrum, the alloy, will be available to other manufacturers in the future.
While Ploof’s collection uses the alloy with a white finish, it was developed with specific electroplating cycles and can also be finished in yellow.
For more information on the alloy, visit the Legor website.
To learn more about Ploof and see his forging work, watch his YouTube series produced by Severine Ferrari of Engagement 101, “Conversations with Chris Ploof,” here.
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