I have never had luck with metallic thread for machine quilting (I don't hand quilt so I can't comment on that). But I did recently discover shades of Glide thread that have a metallic look and are so much easier to work with. The Dijon is a bright gold, Sand a softer gold. Here is a link I posted a few weeks ago.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/links-r...e-t251665.html