Arik Kastan jewelry honors the beauty of rose gold

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Two fans of rose gold with a keen eye for design are taking the pink-tinged metal and paying homage to traditional Victorian aesthetic in their line called Arik Kastan. Designers Tamar Kelman and Christine Kim, who are based in Los Angeles and New York, respectively, named their jewelry collection after a Tel Aviv-based craftsman who mixes a “special blend” of rose gold and produces pieces based on their vision.

Kastan, Kelman and Kim keep dainty vintage details such as filigree etching and pave, rough diamonds running throughout the collection. Moonstones, garnets and emeralds are set in the gold and pop against the warm-hued metal.

Kelman discovered Kastan’s work while traveling in Israel and became “obsessed” with it. “He has guided us, because he’s such a seasoned metal worker,” Kelman says about Kastan. “He has such amazing technical skills specific to the Victorian era, and we have an eye for design.”

The collaboration has resulted in a relatively affordable line of rose gold jewelry (most rings are around or under $1,000) that recently caught the attention of Satine boutique owner Jeannie Lee, who has started carrying the line. “This the first time I’ve carried fine jewelry,” says Lee, who remarked that she was eyeing one of the triple-moonstone rings as a possible wedding band. “These pieces are special, but can be worn every day.”

Lee also says that she sees a return to fine jewelry, especially pieces that aren’t so precious that they only come out for very special occasions.

Rose gold lovers or just those who appreciate vintage-inspired jewelry will gravitate to the aesthetic of the Arik Kastan collection, for a wedding band or perhaps just as another item on their holiday wish list.

-- Melissa Magsaysay