Gold is one of the most popular precious metals having been used by man for thousands of years. Gold has been used as money in the form of coins, mined for its wonderful electrical properties and is commonly used today for dentistry fillings. However, gold is most notably known for being a beautiful, malleable metal that is meant to be adorned and treasured as jewelry.
One of the reasons that gold is so wildly used and adored as jewelry is its fantastic properties. Gold is an element that is different than all others. It is so malleable, that it is said that one gram of gold can be flattened into a square meter. In its natural, pure state gold is too soft to create jewelry; other elements must be added into the mix to make it harder. When other metals are added to gold it forms an alloy. Some of the more popular metals added to gold are copper, silver, platinum and aluminum. In larger amounts these metals may vary gold’s hue.
Gold is measured in terms of (k) or karat. In gold’s pure state it is considered to be 24k. However, as stated above, 24k gold is too soft and malleable to create jewelry. Most gold that is sold for consumer jewelry purposes is either 22k, 18k or 14k. The higher the number the more pure the gold ratio is. For instance, 18k gold is usually created by adding copper to the gold giving it a copper hue that many find warm and elegant.
14k gold which is the karat rating that is predominantly sold in America is an alloy mixed with copper giving it that beautiful yellowish shine. Besides yellow gold, white gold is also available. White gold has become extremely popular in recent years. White gold is usually mixed with silver or other lighter metals to give the gold a warm, white look.
The most wonderful thing about gold is that it can be formed in almost any shape and be worn to enhance a person’s beauty. Today, you can find gold jewelry in almost any shape, size or style. Some of the more basic jewelry categories are rings, bracelets, watches, ear rings, anklets, necklaces and charms.
