Gold Jewelry

Gold: the very definition of richness. Prized throughout history for its color, its purity, its durability, its lustre, and its versatility, gold is one of the most popular metals for creating jewelry that ranges from elegantly understated to regally sumptuous. Gold jewelry was being created thousands of years ago in ancient Sumeria and Egypt; the techniques spread throughout Europe during pre-Christian times and have been developed and refined ever since. The practice of setting gemstones in gold jewelry can be traced back to the 17th century in Europe.

Pure gold is too soft for jewelry and must be mixed with harder metals to make an alloy. The other metals harden the gold and can change the color to create rose gold or white gold. Rose gold is a mixture of gold and copper, while white gold is created by mixing the gold with silver, zinc, palladium, or nickel. People who are allergic to nickel should be sure to avoid gold whitened with this metal. A thin layer of rhodium can be used to give white gold a highly reflective surface.

The amount of gold in an alloy is measured as its karat (K) value (not to be confused with carat, a measure of weight in diamonds), where 24K indicates pure gold. 22K, 18K, 14K, 10K, and 9K gold are the most common alloys used in jewelry, and 10K (10 parts gold, 14 parts another metal) is the lowest that can be marketed as gold in the USA. Gold jewelry should be marked with the K value; in Europe, hallmarks identifying the manufacturer are also found.

The higher the K value, the softer the metal and the more carefully it must be treated to avoid being scratched and damaged. Since chlorine can damage gold, especially white gold, gold jewelry should not be worn in swimming pools.

Gold alloys are referred to as solid gold even though they are not pure gold. A more affordable alternative to solid gold is to buy jewelry made from a base metal like brass covered with a thin layer of gold. Gold-plated jewelry is covered with a very thin layer of gold, while gold-filled jewelry has a thicker layer and must contain at least 5% gold by weight.

One of the great advantages of gold is its ability to be drawn out into very fine wires, beaten to a thin layer, and worked into a great variety of finely detailed decorative shapes. This gives almost unlimited scope to creative designers and goldsmiths.

Gold is used for all types of jewelry, both classic and avant garde. It is the traditional choice for wedding and engagement rings, sometimes together with diamonds. Gold earrings with or without gemstones or pearls are always popular and never go out of style. A heavy gold signet ring is a popular piece of jewelry for men. Gold chains for necklaces, bracelets, and anklets are available in many different styles. Gold charm bracelets are popular with young girls, and collecting charms is a popular pastime. There is a huge variety of gold jewelry for all tastes, occasions, and budgets from the modest to the truly extraordinary.