Gold and jewelry is a precious metal with captivating properties that have drawn the eye and inspired artists and wearers throughout history. It is malleable, durable, and conductive – and it doesn’t rust or tarnish!
As a result, jewelry made with solid gold was favored by wealthy people across cultures. From the earliest days of civilization, a mix of techniques was used to turn the rare, shiny metal into elaborate pieces. Precious stones were inlaid or soldered into the metal, and gilding (spraying the piece with thin coats of gold) was common.
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Because of its high value and rarity, solid gold was often combined with other metals to create alloys that were stronger and more durable for daily use. These alloys were also cheaper to make than pure gold. Today, most jewelry is made of gold-filled or gold vermeil – alloys that are mechanically bonded with at least 10k of pure gold to another metal such as copper or brass. These types of pieces can be more affordable and long-lasting than plated jewelry but are still hypoallergenic.
Gold can be found in a variety of beautiful colors. Traditional yellow and rose gold are the most popular, but more modern hues like white and grey have gained in popularity too. Other hues of gold can be created by alloying it with other metals such as silver, platinum, nickel or zinc. Aside from its beauty, gold has an amazing property – it will never rust or corrode, even when exposed to water, lotions, or perfume!