Gold jewellery: A brief history
The higher the carat, the more pure gold is in a piece. Pure gold, also known as 24k, is soft and easy to scratch. Blended metals may cause the colour of gold to change, but it will be more durable.
The gold carat ranges from 8k up to 24k. However, most pieces are likely in the 10-14k weight range. This is a good balance of colour and strength that's easy to care for. You'll find that the minimum amount of gold required to make an item is different in each country. The minimum amount of gold in an item varies by country. In the US it is 10k, while in Greece it is only 8k.
Copper, silver and other base materials are what allow for variations in colour and weight. Buttery yellow can be as pure as 22k. Copper is added to the gold to enhance its colour. Many attribute the popularity and high demand for rose gold jewelry to antique Russian jewellery, which contains 25% copper. Some white gold jewelry is sold as but this is often not true. The same carat weight will give you the same amount as yellow or rose gold, but it may be blended with other metals such as zinc or platinum in order to keep its colour.
It's not necessary to know the history of gold to understand how closely it is linked with our culture. The New Testament and Book of Revelation both mention gold, as do fairy tales and old movies. The obsession of humanity with gold was closely linked to modern chemistry because of ancient alchemical studies.
Origins of Gold Jewelry
The first gold nuggets were discovered in streams around the globe as lopsided yellow pieces. It also explains the fact that gold was highly regarded by nearly every culture in the world: it was shiny, and rare enough, to be found on every continent. A few indigenous cultures found gold but realized it was too soft and not useful. They moved on.
Ancient civilizations were drawn to pure gold because of its malleability, and it was also permanent. Pure gold is resistant to corrosive and tarnish-free, which makes it ideal for decorating a throne or making jewelry. Or, like the Gold of Troy, a treasure hoard dating back to around 2600 B.C. for making a heavy, gold gravy vessel simply because they could. Gold is more common today in fine chains or around precious stones.
Gold was the currency of civilizations before paper money. Gold was initially valued based on rarity. Over time, its value began to separate itself from the gold. In 700 B.C. Lydian merchants started to produce gold coins as a way to reflect a market value.
Gold bars were a vital part of the modern economy up until the advent of debt-based economies. But today, gold is traded on a personal level. Gold is a way to say "I love" in many different colours and in equal quality.
Fun Facts about Gold
Around 165 000 tons of gold has been extracted from the earth, which would create a solid piece of gold measuring 20 metres squared. The price of gold fluctuates depending on inflation but it would cost between $8-10 trillion dollars. India and China are the biggest buyers of gold, which is mainly sourced from South Africa or the Witwatersrand Gold Rush. Canada is not even in the top 10 due to its small population and sprawling city.
What to look out for when buying gold jewellery
When looking for gold jewellery do not only look at the carats. Look for a style and colour that you like. All colours have different carat values.
White gold is a result of a absence copper. Both may contain small amounts of palladium or zinc at higher carats, to increase durability. Rose gold contains the same amount of gold, silver, and copper as other metals, but copper is present at a much higher level. Gold can be thin enough to be used in finishing layers for demi-fine jewellery.
Gold-plated jewellery cannot be resized but is more affordable. It's also great for fashion jewellery. Gold-plated items will gradually wear away, so remove them before you wash your hands or apply lotion.
Choose pieces that have stones of the same colour. Pink morganite is stunning against rose gold. White gold makes a diamond really sparkle. White gold has become increasingly popular as diamonds have grown in popularity. The colour of yellow gold can "bleed" into stones with warm tones, such as rubies and garnets. Check the setting on yellow gold bands for engagement rings . Make sure that the band does not take away the colour or clarity of a diamond.
Choose a style that is classic and suits your or your loved ones' wardrobe. If you are worried about scratches or nicks, choose a lower-carat weight. Also, make sure that your jewellery is cleaned regularly to ensure it will last for years.
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