Throughout the ages, gold has shimmered brightly. There are many myths and legends about the metal, such as the tale of King Midas and his infamous golden touch. Gold once symbolized the everlasting powers of the divine and was often associated with royalty. Plus, one of the oldest pieces of jewelry is an astonishing 6,600 year old golden bead. It’s little wonder that all these centuries later we still cherish timeless gold treasures of our own. This metal is certainly one of my all-time favorites because of its incredible versatility and eternal luster. I’m so enamored of gold I decided to put together this glamorous guide, so that you can learn all about this glorious metal.
An Ancient Past
A long, long time ago, dust from exploding supernovae settled and some of it was gold. This luminous metal is old as the stars. The word “gold” itself comes from an ancient word which means “to glow or gleam”. Throughout history, metalsmiths treasured gold for its rich color and ability to be easily shaped, referred to as malleability. All over the world, in pretty much every time and place, gold has been revered. From ancient Egypt to the Americas, the metal has been worn by monarchs, used as currency and decorated great temples and churches. Today, gold is still a standard by which we measure “the best”. For instance, at the Olympics, top athletes win a gold medal.
A Trinity of Hues
Though this metal has an astoundingly long history, it is also rather soft. This means that pure gold can be scratched more easily than other metals, such as platinum. Over time, metalsmiths and jewelers discovered ways to make gold more durable for everyday wear. They did so by mixing gold with other metals, creating alloys. The gold jewelry we enjoy today is typically such a mixture.
There are three primary alloys of gold, which have resulted in three lustrous hues: yellow, white and rose. First, yellow gold retains the classic warm yellow color. To give it this look, gold is blended with a touch of zinc and copper. By contrast, white gold has a silvery-white sheen to it, because it’s mixed with palladium, nickel or manganese. Often enough, white gold is also given rhodium plating to increase its pale luster. And lastly, rose gold blushes in delicate pink tones, due to the fact it’s alloyed with a pinch of copper.
Crazy for Karats
Because most gold jewelry is an alloy, we express the fineness of the metal through Karats. A single gold Karat represents 1/24 of a whole or one part of 24. So, 24/24 equals 24-parts or Karats, something just shy of “pure” gold. This measure goes back to ancient Rome, when one siliqua was equal to 1/24th of a golden solidus.
Now, let’s say you have a 14-Karat gold engagement ring. What that 14-Karats means is that the ring is 14-parts gold and 10-parts other metals. Pretty neat, huh? The higher the Karats, the more gold you have. However, the more gold in your alloy, the softer it also is, making your piece more vulnerable. To give jewelry durability for day-to-day use, the majority of fine pieces you’ll see range from 14 to 18-Karat.
Find Your Golden Glamor at Yelton’s
Now that you know all about gold and its illustrious legacy, don’t you think it’s time to come down to Yelton Fine Jewelers and discover some glimmering gold treasures of your own? We have an absolutely sparkling selection, featuring dazzling yellow, white and rose gold. Of course, I’d be happy to guide you through our collections and chat with you about what you’re looking for. Whether you’re interested in an engagement ring or perhaps a delicious Le Vian pendant, we have something for everyone’s style and budget. Plus, I just adore talking to people and hearing their wonderful stories. So, hop on over to 9263 Schulze Drive today. I can’t wait to see you!