If you have been watching the financial news in 2025, you have likely seen headlines about the soaring price of gold. In 2025, gold prices in Australia have climbed more than 50 percent from the start of the year, pushing the spot price to around $210 AUD per gram for 24-karat gold as of mid-October. That jump ripples straight to jewelry makers and your wallet.
At Pear Jewels, we craft pieces with lab-grown diamonds set in solid 14k or 18k gold, keeping things ethical and accessible. Our designs let you choose white, yellow, or rose gold to match your style. Yet even here, where we focus on sustainable luxury, the gold surge touches every band we shape. Let us walk through what drives this change and how it shapes your next ring buy.
Why Gold Prices Keep Climbing in 2025
Gold has always drawn people in tough times. This year, it smashed records, topping $4,000 USD per ounce for the first time in early October. In Australian dollars, that translates to over $6,000 AUD per ounce at peaks. Investors flock to it when stocks wobble or politics heat up. Think trade tensions from new tariffs and elections across the US, France, and Japan. Central banks pile in too, snapping up 900 tonnes this year alone to shore up reserves.
Down under, the effect feels close to home. Queues form outside bullion dealers in Sydney, from young savers to retirees hedging against shaky markets. A weaker Australian dollar against the US buck adds fuel, making imported gold pricier. Add inflation worries and low interest rates, and you get a perfect storm. Gold ends up as that safe spot when everything else feels uncertain.
How the Surge Hits Your Engagement Ring
Engagement rings blend diamond and metal in equal parts story and structure. The diamond steals the show, but gold holds it all together. When raw gold costs more, jewelers pass that along. A simple solitaire band might use three to five grams of 14k gold. At $150 AUD per gram for 14k (about 58 percent pure gold), that adds $450 to $750 just for the setting. Double it for intricate designs with side stones or halos.
Take a classic round solitaire lab-grown diamond ring, like our 2.0ct Round Solitaire Labgrown Diamond Engagement Ring. It starts at $2,419 AUD in 14k gold. Shift to 18k for richer color, and the price edges up by 20 to 30 percent because it takes more gold to hit that purity. Suppliers scramble too. One jeweler noted demand outstrips stock, slowing production and nudging prices higher.
Wedding bands follow suit. Stack a slim gold band with your engagement ring, and the total climbs. Our collection offers options in matching metals, but expect a 10 to 15 percent bump year over year from gold alone. Halo styles amplify this. Those pavé-set accents demand extra gold, so a piece like the 2.00ct Round Halo Labgrown Diamond Engagement Ring lands at $2,423 AUD. Compare that to early 2025, when similar rings sat 20 percent lower.
Everyday Jewelry Feels the Pinch Too
This is not just about rings. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings all lean on gold. A delicate chain might cost $300 AUD now, up from $250 last year. Makers innovate around it, blending alloys or going lighter, but pure gold lovers pay the premium. In China, buyers lament that 1,000 yuan buys one gram instead of three. Australian shoppers echo that squeeze, with transactions down as folks weigh if that extra sparkle is worth it.
Smart Ways to Dodge the Gold Hike
You still want that ring without regret. Start with lab-grown diamonds. They sparkle just as bright as mined ones, certified by IGI or GIA, but cost 30 to 40 percent less. Pair one with a thoughtful gold setting, and you balance wow factor with budget. Browse our lab-grown engagement rings for solitaires from $1,917 AUD, like the 1.25ct Oval Solitaire Labgrown Diamond Ring.
Consider metal choices. White gold offers a cool tone at similar prices to yellow, or try rose for warmth without the full 18k markup. Platinum resists scratches better but runs twice the gold cost, so stick to gold if you can. Customization helps here. At Pear Jewels, chat with our team to tweak a design, maybe slim the band to trim grams.
Timing matters. Gold ebbs and flows, so watch for dips. Lock in now if you spot a deal, since forecasts point to steady highs through year-end. Explore halo options for extra dazzle on a dime, such as the Pear Halo Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring at $1,328 AUD. It frames your center stone in a burst of light, all while keeping gold use modest.
Your Ring, Your Way Amid the Rush
Gold's wild ride in 2025 reminds us that beauty comes with real-world strings. Prices rise, choices tighten, yet the joy of a well-chosen piece endures. At Pear Jewels, we craft with care, using lab-grown stones to let your story shine without excess cost. Whether a simple solitaire or a halo stunner, find something that fits your moment. Head to our lab-grown halo rings and see how sustainable sparkle holds strong, even as gold tests our budgets. What design appeals to you?
