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Praised for its timelessness and overall luxurious feel, gold jewellery has been worn by people since the days of the ancient Romans and Egyptians. Not surprisingly, it continues to have a big presence in people's jewellery collections to this day in the form of everything from classic gold earrings and gold chains to elegant gold bangles and pendants that make for exceptional layering pieces.
Extremely versatile, gold comes in many hues that many fashionistas will cling to their favourite. Whether it be the always classic yellow gold jewellery, the more subtle white gold or the more playful and slightly eclectic rose gold jewellery, gold will always have a special place in people's collections.
So, why is gold used to make jewellery? Read on to find out.
Overview:
- Its Quality Triumphs All
- It Goes With Everything & Will Forever Be Timeless
- More Bang for Your Buck
- The Pure Symbolism Of It
Its Quality Triumphs All
There is a myriad of reasons as to why gold is used to make jewellery, but one reason that arguably triumphs all is its quality. Despite being a precious metal that is very soft and malleable, gold is reasonably strong, meaning that it is easily able to withstand the rigours of everyday life. Unless it is gold plated jewellery that often contains silver, gold jewellery generally doesn't tarnish, discolour or become corroded. This is because pure gold doesn't react to the oxygen or moisture in the air and therefore cannot undergo the chemical changes that occur that result in oxidation. It is essentially the complete opposite of silver jewellery which often reacts to moisture and other chemicals that lead to tarnishing. It is also why gold is so much more valuable than silver.
Believed to be the result of supernovae and neutron star collisions that occurred long before the solar system was formed, pure gold may only rank at 2.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness but it is still relatively tough for a jewellery metal. This is because much like sterling silver jewellery, gold often contains other metal alloys such as copper, zinc and even silver itself. The purity of gold is measured using the karat system. Not to be confused with the carat system that is used to measure the size and mass of a diamond, the karat system measures the ratio of pure gold to metal alloys. A piece of jewellery with around 37.5% will be hallmarked as 9-karat gold while a piece that is 24-karat gold will have over 99.9%. 24-karat gold will rarely be used for jewellery items like engagement rings as it is too soft for the heavy stones in it. With over 58.3% pure gold, 14-karat gold is the most popular type of jewellery as it is the sturdiest.
It Goes With Everything and Will Forever Be Timeless
As previously touched on, gold is one of the most versatile metals out there. Compared to other metals, gold's lustre is significantly more prominent, meaning it stands out a lot more. And while some people believe this may be a deterrent to purchasing gold for everyday wear, it is quite the contrary. The warm tones that gold is known for mean that it is perfect for everyone from those with light, rosy complexions to those with sunkissed or dark skins along with everyone in between. It also is less likely to get lost in your clothes that are lighter colours. You can pair gold with anything from red and yellow to marle grey and it is still likely to stand out. Whereas something like silver may find it hard to remain the centre of attention when wearing neutral colours such as nude, white and grey. The versatility of gold isn't just limited to yellow gold as even rose gold and white gold jewellery pair seamlessly with everything.
The versatility of gold is perhaps why gold jewellery has always remained so timeless. If you have a pair of stylish gold hoop earrings or an elegant gold bracelet in your jewellery box, chances are that it will still be a favourite of yours some ten or so years later. This is because gold has always been a big-ticket item for shoppers looking to add to their collection. Unlike cheaper fashion jewellery pieces that you purchase from fast fashion brands, gold is not a trend piece it is a forever piece.
More Bang for Your Buck
One downside to gold is its price tag. Depending on the type of gold that your piece is, gold is significantly more expensive than other types of metals including silver and stainless steel jewellery. A reason for this is that gold is exceptionally rare. Gold is so rare that they give diamond jewellery a run for its money in terms of rarity. But while gold's price may put a lot of people off, their higher rate isn't necessarily a bad thing. Because gold is so rare it retains its value much better than most other jewellery including diamonds. This means that gold also makes for a great investment. So much so that some people even hand in their old gold jewellery in exchange for money at registered gold resellers.
Gold jewellery is also a prime example of quality over quantity in the sense that while you may spend more on it, you are likely to get more wear out if it than a cheaper piece of jewellery that is not made of a sturdy metal like gold. With the right amount of care and attention you can ensure your jewellery stands the test of time and is a beloved element of collection for many more years to come. If you pick your gold jewellery very carefully you may even have a piece that you can hand down to your children and then their children.
The Pure Symbolism Of It
Another reason why gold is used to make jewellery is its overall cultural symbolism. Representative of wealth, prosperity, incorruptibility, spirit and purity, gold has been lauded over by everyone from the Mayans and Aztecs to the Incas who used to worship the metal. During the earlier Inca empire, people would even cover their new kings in gold dust as a way to highlight their superiority and show their respect. Gold is also synonymous with many religions including Christianity where it is mentioned several times in the Bible, particularly during the Old Testament where it is stated that Adam and Eve had an abundance of gold in the Garden of Eden. Occasionally regarded as a symbol of perfection and achievement, and as a result is given in the form of a medal or trophies as the highest honour at competitive events such as the Olympics or the Nobel Prize.
During the rule of the Ancient Egyptians, gold was considered an imperishable, indestructible and eternal colour, hence why the Egyptians strongly believed that the skin and bones of their Gods were made out of gold. This is perhaps why gold is often depicted in the busts and decorations of many pharaohs as well as in their costumes. Meanwhile, the ancient Romans would often wear gold rings and even gold necklaces as a way to represent everything from wealth and power to devotion. Today, many Hindus continue to wear gold jewellery because they believe it symbolises femininity and provides them with good health along with prosperity.
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Elegantly crafted from solid 9ct Yellow Gold, this Delightful Curb Bracelet will define your attire. Expressed in smooth curb chain links, this bracelet has a comfortable feel to go with its luxury look. Nine carat gold is a perfect choice… read more9ct Yellow Gold Delightful Curb Bracelet
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Perfectly unique, this stunning belcher chain in 45cm is simply gorgeous. Crated in 9ct yellow gold, the luxurious necklace is sure to please.… read more9ct Magnificent Yellow Gold Belcher Chain
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