Your Guide To Gold Jewellery
Historically, gold jewellery has been the most coveted, popular fashion statement because of its beauty, plus its association with wealth and power.
The following guide will give you some need-to-know facts about the production and use of gold jewellery.
Main Suppliers of Gold
South Africa has produced gold since the 1880s and is recorded as supplying 50% of all gold ever produced. In 1970, South Africa was producing 79% of the worlds supply, however in 2007 China replaced South Africa as the worlds largest gold producer.
Other major gold suppliers in the world are the United States, Russia, Australia and Peru.
Gold in Jewellery
Gold has inspired designers and craftsmen throughout the centuries - many believed it was a source of immortality as well as power and it was often also used in medicine. It has also been used as currency throughout history
The earliest gold jewellery dates back about 6,000 years. One has only to view the magnificent artefacts of ancient Egypt, especially those discovered in 1922 at Tutankhamens tomb.
As far back as eight century BC, the Italians in the Tuscany region produced a granulated form of gold to create clasps, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and hollow pendants which were designed to hold perfume. The Italians are still renowned today for their quality gold workmanship.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, gold production became almost extinct until the Spanish discovered the vast gold deposits and treasures of Mexico and South America.
When it comes to design, gold jewellery is stylishly timeless in all its numerous forms. Gold will never lose its charm or place in the premiere ranks of jewellery craftsmanship because of the intrinsic value of this metal.
Caratage
Gold in its purest form is considered to be too soft for the creation of jewellery, so it is often combined with other metals for greater strength and durability. The amount of carats in a piece of jewellery is graded by its fineness in parts per 1000 as well as the percentage of pure gold it contains (measure in carats). Here is an overview:
24 carat is pure gold and is soft, malleable and delicate. It is extremely popular in China.
22 and 21 carat refined gold has 91% and 87% pure gold. It is widely used in India and the Middle East.
18 carat refined gold contains 75% pure gold and has become the international standard for gold jewellery, including the choice for leading watch brands. At this percentage, the 18 carat gold can begin to change colour with the addition of other metals.
14 carat refined gold is widely used in the USA. Anything less than 10 carats cannot be sold as gold in the USA however.
9 carat gold is commonly used in the UK since it was introduced during the war when officials were allowed to produce this lower caratage for wedding bands as essential items.
Metals Used in Gold jewellery
Due to the extreme softness of pure gold (24 carats) it is generally alloyed with many other metals. This alters its properties such as hardness, melting point and the creation of exotic colours.
Copper is the most prevalent base metal used in gold jewellery as it creates a reddish colour. When it is used in 14 carat gold it produces a bronze hue. Some Antique and Russian jewellery made from 18 carat gold has a 25% copper content, which produces a wonderful rose colour.
Gold-aluminium alloy creates a blue gold but is more brittle and thus harder to work with. Iron-gold alloy forms a purple gold which is generally only used in specialized jewellery.
White gold alloys can be manufactured with palladium or nickel (which can be toxic and is legislated in many countries.) It can also be alloyed with silver and other white metals.
Other less common metals such as manganese, aluminium, iron and indium also produce unusual colours for more exotic gold jewellery.
Other Uses for Gold
Besides its widespread use in jewellery creation, gold has other important functions such as monetary value, dentistry, electronics and even gold leaf used in food.
Metallic gold is inert to all body chemistry and has no taste or nutritional value. It does not affect the body in any way. Thus, gold leaf, gold flakes or gold dust have been used in food, sweets and drinks for decorative purposes. In Medieval times the nobility served this in lavish banquets to flaunt their wealth and social standing. It was also believed that because of its rarity it is beneficial for health and longevity.
Even today, high-end fashion events feature expensive cocktail drinks with gold flakes and gold leaf decorated gourmet foods
Conclusion
Gold jewellery is an absolute must in your accessory collection and has been used for centuries in many different forms, not least as a special token for a loved one.
The following guide will give you some need-to-know facts about the production and use of gold jewellery.
Main Suppliers of Gold
South Africa has produced gold since the 1880s and is recorded as supplying 50% of all gold ever produced. In 1970, South Africa was producing 79% of the worlds supply, however in 2007 China replaced South Africa as the worlds largest gold producer.
Other major gold suppliers in the world are the United States, Russia, Australia and Peru.
Gold in Jewellery
Gold has inspired designers and craftsmen throughout the centuries - many believed it was a source of immortality as well as power and it was often also used in medicine. It has also been used as currency throughout history
The earliest gold jewellery dates back about 6,000 years. One has only to view the magnificent artefacts of ancient Egypt, especially those discovered in 1922 at Tutankhamens tomb.
As far back as eight century BC, the Italians in the Tuscany region produced a granulated form of gold to create clasps, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and hollow pendants which were designed to hold perfume. The Italians are still renowned today for their quality gold workmanship.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, gold production became almost extinct until the Spanish discovered the vast gold deposits and treasures of Mexico and South America.
When it comes to design, gold jewellery is stylishly timeless in all its numerous forms. Gold will never lose its charm or place in the premiere ranks of jewellery craftsmanship because of the intrinsic value of this metal.
Caratage
Gold in its purest form is considered to be too soft for the creation of jewellery, so it is often combined with other metals for greater strength and durability. The amount of carats in a piece of jewellery is graded by its fineness in parts per 1000 as well as the percentage of pure gold it contains (measure in carats). Here is an overview:
24 carat is pure gold and is soft, malleable and delicate. It is extremely popular in China.
22 and 21 carat refined gold has 91% and 87% pure gold. It is widely used in India and the Middle East.
18 carat refined gold contains 75% pure gold and has become the international standard for gold jewellery, including the choice for leading watch brands. At this percentage, the 18 carat gold can begin to change colour with the addition of other metals.
14 carat refined gold is widely used in the USA. Anything less than 10 carats cannot be sold as gold in the USA however.
9 carat gold is commonly used in the UK since it was introduced during the war when officials were allowed to produce this lower caratage for wedding bands as essential items.
Metals Used in Gold jewellery
Due to the extreme softness of pure gold (24 carats) it is generally alloyed with many other metals. This alters its properties such as hardness, melting point and the creation of exotic colours.
Copper is the most prevalent base metal used in gold jewellery as it creates a reddish colour. When it is used in 14 carat gold it produces a bronze hue. Some Antique and Russian jewellery made from 18 carat gold has a 25% copper content, which produces a wonderful rose colour.
Gold-aluminium alloy creates a blue gold but is more brittle and thus harder to work with. Iron-gold alloy forms a purple gold which is generally only used in specialized jewellery.
White gold alloys can be manufactured with palladium or nickel (which can be toxic and is legislated in many countries.) It can also be alloyed with silver and other white metals.
Other less common metals such as manganese, aluminium, iron and indium also produce unusual colours for more exotic gold jewellery.
Other Uses for Gold
Besides its widespread use in jewellery creation, gold has other important functions such as monetary value, dentistry, electronics and even gold leaf used in food.
Metallic gold is inert to all body chemistry and has no taste or nutritional value. It does not affect the body in any way. Thus, gold leaf, gold flakes or gold dust have been used in food, sweets and drinks for decorative purposes. In Medieval times the nobility served this in lavish banquets to flaunt their wealth and social standing. It was also believed that because of its rarity it is beneficial for health and longevity.
Even today, high-end fashion events feature expensive cocktail drinks with gold flakes and gold leaf decorated gourmet foods
Conclusion
Gold jewellery is an absolute must in your accessory collection and has been used for centuries in many different forms, not least as a special token for a loved one.