Viviana Langhoff, the visionary behind Chicago’s Adornment + Theory, has launched AU79, a capsule collection that pays homage to the elemental power of gold.
Taking its name from gold’s chemical symbol and atomic number, the 20-piece collection departs from Langhoff’s delicate, filigree-rooted aesthetic to embrace bold, substantial forms.
Unapologetically opulent, AU79 is forged entirely in solid gold, despite soaring prices that have led many designers to scale back. “Some are thinning out their gold, opting for 9k or 10k, or turning to two-tone and gemstone-forward designs,” Langhoff shared. “But my clients are asking for weight—thicker, richer gold pieces.”
Her clientele, largely composed of millennials and Gen Z, are gravitating toward lab-grown diamonds paired with high-karat gold. While natural diamonds remain an option, Langhoff said buyers increasingly view gold as the long-term investment.
“They all would rather have real solid gold and lab diamonds,” she explained, aligning with rising social media discourse on gold’s lasting value—now nearing $3,400 per ounce.
The debut of AU79 took place on May 2 with an in-store launch event in Chicago’s creative Logan Square district. Guests explored the initial eight ring designs, priced between $2,000 and $6,000, and experienced a curated mini-exhibition detailing gold’s cultural and historical significance.
The immersive display, which runs through summer, includes insights into gold’s mining and refinement processes, complementing the theme of elemental reverence.
Every ring in the collection sold out during launch weekend via pre-orders advertised on social media. Feedback has been glowing, particularly for the pieces’ detailed engravings, which were celebrated with live calligraphy engraving during the event.
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