While I never booked a colour consultation to determine whether I was a spring, summer, autumn or winter, I knew intuitively that I’d always and only ever drape myself in silver, the perfect foil to black. Gold felt too glitzy, its temperature too warm, the patina of yellow gold too close to brass to flatter pale skin deprived of Mediterranean sun, framed by blue black hair known to hit the bottle. And yet, as we find ourselves facing into the shortest days of the year, hungering for a blink of sun, gold beckons like butter melting on a warm scone fresh from the Aga (if we had an Aga).

Like silver and platinum, gold is a noble metal, resistant to chemical action, doesn’t corrode or tarnish, not easily attacked by acids. Here is where the scientific discussion ends, unless you are an alchemist, in which case you are welcome in my company, as I have a cache of base metals for you to transform into something divine. When gold was first discovered in streams, the shiny nuggets proved irresistible, and throughout history, we’ve continued to be physically and emotionally drawn to its brilliance and lustre, its abundance and rarity arguably giving gold its intrinsic value. Before we could analyse it, gold, panned in streams, was thought to be a dense combination of water and sunlight, so it’s no wonder hoards of gold have been unearthed in Ireland’s bogs, buried alongside well-preserved bodies, perhaps in anticipation of a radiant afterlife.

Gilding, the decorative technique in which a microns thick layer of gold is artfully applied to substrates of wood, metal, glass, stone or plaster, has acquired a bad name, not so much due to its artifice in imitating the real thing as to the prevalence of poor quality gilding done badly. Pigmentti, founded by artists Paolo Bello and Noel Donnellan, is an award-winning studio based in Italy and Ireland with a mission to lead the artistic decoration revival, specialising in traditional techniques. From super-yachts to the interiors of luxe homes and churches, Pigmentti incorporates gold leaf on ceilings, walls, canvas, furniture and architectural elements, using labour-intensive processes of oil gilding, water gilding, engraving, etching, polishing and verre églomisé. They maintain that even a gilded cage can be a gorgeous abode, provided the work is undertaken by a decorative artist with a depth of knowledge that comes from years spent honing their craft. Oh, and provided its tiny golden gate is left open now and then.

Even golden handcuffs have their place, with restraint offering a kind of release, if the key is kept handy. But if you prefer bracelets, layering white, yellow and rose gold chain link around wrists (and necks) is having a moment. Giambattista Valli’s romantic SS22 collection features an embrace of gold braid framing the décolleté and a punctuation of gilded buttons. Delayed three times due to the pandemic, it may finally be No Time to Die, with Bondworld giving us permission to bling out, à la Kate Middleton in Jenny Packham’s sheer gold gear, best worn with a foundation garment of toned bronzed skin. Whether you swipe gold eyeliner over a wing of flicked-out black for a gilded cat eye or secure your Korean KF94 anti-Covid mask (the gold standard) to a chunky gold chain, remember: there are no golds barred. @susanzelouf

1. I’M CASTING a gilt silhouette in Brooke wraparounds with gold-plated brow bar. €260; www.ie.burberry.com.

2. I’M TAKING afternoon tea in the Gold Salon at Carton House. Gaze at the gilded ceiling whilst sipping Jing tea. Pinkies out! www.cartonhouse.com.

3. I’M ORDERING a 1/2 lb steak burger rare, topped with edible gold leaf and Tillmanook cheese, at the Hard Rock Cafe Dublin. Let them eat steak! €29.95 (€1 benefits local charities.)

4. I’M LINING lids with Urban Decay Heavy Metal gold eyeliner in Midnight Cowboy.

5. I’M POSTING love letters with An Post stamps marking the centenary of artist Patrick Scott.

6. I’M MEDITATING on Tibetan skies with Irish jeweller Da Capo’s Flaming Pearl of Wisdom ring in 18k white gold, diamonds and rubies. €15,400; www.designyard.com.

7. I’M FLOATING like a butterfly in Chloé SS21 Gemma sunnies, the winged metal profile accented by bright colours. €390, at Brown Thomas.

8. I’M SOJOURNING in Paris at Hôtel Madame Rêve in the repurposed nineteenth century Poste du Louvre, Golden Triangle, 1st arrondissement. www.madamereve.com.

9. I’M FRAMING my décolleté with gold braid, à la Giambattista Valli SS22.

10. I’M VARNISHING talons with Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer in Shattered Souls. $15.20; www.cutystore.com