Gold

There is evidence of gold being used for decorative purposes as far back as the 4th millennium BC.  Well known pieces such as the mask of Tutankhamen (c1300 BC) illustrate how highly gold is prized as a mark of royalty and status.

In the middle ages, the idea of alchemy was widespread and occupied the best scientific minds in a never ending quest to turn base metals into gold!

More recently, the gold rushes that swept the world in the second half of the 19th century saw an era of change which is almost unmatched.  Widespread global migration, building of extensive and complex supply networks, principally railways, development of mining techniques, the birth of towns, cities becoming cosmopolitan centres of finance, and a wealth of evocative place names.  Myth and legend abound, phrases such as 'staking a claim', 'strike it rich' and 'gold fever' are now in the common vernacular.

Gold has captured the imagination for centuries and there is no sign of it stopping now!

Gold in its natural state is yellow and is usually purified to ‘fine’ or ‘pure’ gold before being used in jewellery or industry.  Technically, gold is described as both malleable and ductile, in fact it is said that one ounce of pure gold can be drawn into a fine wire stretching 60kms.  While fascinating, this quality is not ideal for fine detailed work, so alloys are often mixed to create a less ductile metal and make it more easily workable.  This process also enables the creation of a range of colours or shades such as rose gold and white gold.  All white gold is made from natural yellow gold.  It is then mixed with various metal alloys to create white gold, which in its unfinished state has a greyish appearance.  White gold jewellery is then rhodium plated to produce a sharp lustrous finish.  yellow gold may have copper and silver added in equal parts to keep its familiar yellow colour.  With rose or pink gold a slightly higher percentage of copper is used.  This is also why gold can vary in shades depending on the jeweller, craftsman or retailer.

Pure gold is classified as 24ct and whilst favoured by some cultures this is often too soft to create many intricate pieces and is why 9ct, 10ct, 14ct and 18ct are more often used in jewellery design.  The adding of alloys to create this in no way diminishes the special lustre and colour of gold.  Gold also does not tarnish, which is a feature of other metals such as sterling silver which oxidizes naturally over time.  Gold always looks magnificent, and is so sought after and of such value that it formed the basis of world economy and exchange rates when the Gold Standard was introduced in 1900, although this system is not in place in the same way today.

To ensure the authenticity of gold, the system of hallmarking was introduced around 700 years ago.  It identifies and guarantees the percentage of gold.