What Rising Metal Prices Mean for Your Jewellery

If you've noticed jewellery prices creeping up lately - you're not imagining it.

Gold, silver and other precious metals have surged dramatically. And when raw materials cost more, brands have to decide how they'll respond

Where standards can slip

Rising costs create pressure. To lower the purity. To get vague about what you're actually wearing. To use cheaper base metals.

Nickel shows up in alloys where it shouldn't be.

If you have sensitive skin, you know exactly what happens next: redness, itching, that irritation you thought you'd avoided. Quality control becomes optional because it's non-essential and testing costs money.

It's a bit like shrinkflation, but instead of size, it's the standards that change.

image 1: price chart showing gold vs silver in US dollars across 2025; credit: MacleodFinance.com

What we won't compromise on

I started MISSA & KISSA because I have sensitive skin myself. I know what it's like to love a piece of jewellery and then have to stop wearing it because your ears are screaming. So from the beginning, these have been non-negotiable:

Materials chosen for sensitive skin: Many of our earrings are gold plated sterling silver, and we also carry gold-filled pieces (brass base). We prioritise materials that are known to be more comfortable for sensitive skin. We don't switch them out just because costs rise.

Suppliers we trust: I've worked with the same suppliers for years. When prices rise, I don't suddenly shop around for cheaper options. We look at consistency, materials transparency, and whether they can meet the same standard repeatedly.

Wear-checks and quality checks: I wear-check pieces myself and we check finishes and components because the small details are often what makes earrings comfortable (or not).

These haven't changed since I started. They won't.

image 2: me on STV in Dec 2023 talking about gold prices. Here we are again!

Why it matters to me

When I pack orders, I think about this a lot. Someone chose MISSA & KISSA. They're trusting that what arrives will work for them: that it'll feel good, last well and fit into daily life without worry.

That trust means everything to me. It also feels like a responsibility: to keep standards high when it would be easier to lower them.

How we protect you

Material transparency: Every product listing tells you exactly what the piece is made from - base metal, plating, and especially the parts that touch your skin (ear posts, backs, hooks). No vague "mixed metals". No guessing.

Aftercare guidance: Every order includes care instructions, and they're simple: keep jewellery away from water, perfume and lotions, store it in the pouch (complimentary for each order!), and wipe it gently after wearing. Small habits that help gold plated sterling silver and gold-filled pieces last far longer.

Being responsive: if something doesn't feel right, tell me. Things happen and I want to know so I can sort it out (Full details are in our warranty and returns policy.)

If you’re ever unsure about a piece, even if it’s not from MISSA & KISSA, send me the link and I’ll tell you what I’d look for.

What this means going forward

Metal prices will keep fluctuating. They always do.

Rising costs affect everyone in this industry. How brands respond tells you what they value.

Commodity prices might change. Our standards do not.