TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveCollectionsMay 19, 2026
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Collections
The Latest
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
