Gold Jewelry

Have you ever wondered why gold jewelry is so popular and desirable, not to mention expensive? A look into the history of gold reveals how people of every culture, time period, and nation have fought wars and built fortunes based on the allure of gold. Pronounced a symbol of wealth and power since ancient times, gold still proves to be one of the most coveted metals today. Its brilliance inspired the Incas to cover every wall of its magnificent Temple of the Sun in gold in the 14th century. Its riches inspired Cortes to defeat Montezuma and seize the Aztec's vast gold stores in the 15th century. And its contagious fever captivated thousands to migrate west for the California Gold Rush in 1848.

Gold jewelry, though a mass-marketed product today, occupies a rich history that dates back to the beginning of civilization. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the mining and production of gold halted for nearly 1000 years until the Spanish discovered America in 1492. Cortes invaded Mexico and seized its gold treasures in an effort to revive Spain's economy in 1519. In 1531, Pizarro invaded Peru and captured the Incas' ruler Atahualpa, immediately melting down the Inca's golden artifacts to ship back to Spain. Earlier on, the Incas, who considered gold "the sweat of the sun," conquered the Chimu Empire and made the Chimu goldsmiths cover every inch of The Temple of the Sun's walls in gold.

Though the Spanish conquerors exhausted gold artifacts and mines, over 90% of the world's gold has been produced since the gold rush of 1848. Gold mining took on a much larger dimension after the discovery of Sutter's Mill on the American River in 1848. Soon after, gold was discovered in Australia and South Africa. These discoveries and supplementary increase in gold supply marked a turning point-gold, once a rare metal afforded only by royalty was now more attainable by people of all classes.

In modern day, Italy has remained at the forefront of the gold jewelry industry. The Italian Renaissance coincided with the discoveries of the new sources of gold, and wealthy Italian patrons supported goldsmiths as they did painters and sculptors. Today, factories that automate hundreds of machines that "knit" gold wire into chain flourish in the towns of Aires, Geneve, and Vicenza.

Pihder said it best nearly 2,500 years ago when he wrote, "Gold is the child of Zeus, neither moth nor rust devoureth it." Indeed, its beauty is timeless and materiality enduring, proving a powerful combination that will ensure gold's coveted stature through time.

Since the beginning of time, gold has enjoyed a unique and prestigious place in the hearts and minds of men. It is estimated that man first discovered gold around 5,000 years ago. The discovery, pursuit, possession, and trade of gold has impacted our society in many ways.


Gold is probably the first metal to be used by humans. Prehistoric man encountered gold in its free form when collecting water from riverbeds. Because of its attractive nature, gold was valued for ornaments and soon became associated with the sun god, the provider of light, warmth, and nutrition. As a result, gold was used to make religious objects that were used in early religious ceremonies.

Almost 2,000 years before Turkish tribes invaded and devastated the region, the first coins were produced in Lydia between 643 to 630 BC. The coins were made of electrum, a naturally occurring mixture comprised of 3/4 gold and 1/4 silver. The first pure gold coins were introduced about a century later by the Lydian king, Croesus, who guaranteed the weight and purity of the coins with his royal stamp. The circulation of government-issued gold coins helped seal the image of gold as being one of the most valuable substances in the world.

Throughout the years, the search for gold has been a reason for mass migrations. During the 16th century, the promises of finding rich gold mines attracted Spaniards to Mexico and South America. In 1849, one of the greatest gold rushes drew around 40,000 diggers, later termed as the 49ers, to California. Australia's population expanded from around 400,000 to 1,200,000 in ten years between 1851 and 1861. In 1896, more than 60,000 men converged on the Yukon in Canada near Alaska to mine gold, which continues at that locale until today. Several other discoveries of gold in Northern America have created mass relocations to South Dakota, Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, and British Columbia.

The world's largest producers of gold are South Africa, where the largest gold discovery ever occurred in 1886, the former Soviet Union, the United States, Australia, and Canada. Discoveries of gold have had a phenomenal impact during the 19th and 20th centuries. Increases in the supply of gold inflated the world's currencies and eventually led to the adoption of the gold standard by most of the leading nations. While the gold standard has been abandoned by most, gold still remains one of the most valuable investments against economic downfall. Gold is accepted everywhere as a medium of exchange.

Scientifically, the Atomic Number of gold is 79 and its Atomic Symbol is Au. The symbol Au comes from the Latin term for gold, "aurum" and the English word "gold" is derived from the Old-English "geolo", which means yellow. Gold is considered a transition metal, which means that it is both ductile and malleable and conducts electricity and heat.

Gold is always a welcome gift. Throughout the ages, gold has also played an important role as an expression of love and affection. A gold jewelry item is more than an object of beauty or love, it is an asset of enduring value, which can be passed from one generation to the next. The natural beauty of gold along with its malleability, rich history, and high value has made it the world's most important metal in jewelry.

How to Buy Gold and Gold Jewelry
Unless you are a frequent jewelry buyer, you may feel uneasy about spending a significant amount of your hard-earned money on expensive jewelry. Even jewelry lovers at times are confused about the true value of gold jewelry. So what are the key factors to look at when purchasing gold jewelry? The value of a gold jewelry piece is comprised of karatage, gram weight, design, and craftsmanship (or quality).

Karatage
Is the gold 10k, 14k, or 18k? While the difference in color may be subtle to the eye, there is a great difference in price. 10k is only 41.7% pure gold and 18k is 75% pure gold, so you can expect to pay more for higher karat gold jewelry. Typically, 10k gold jewelry ranges from $14-$20 per gram, 14k gold jewelry ranges from $20-$30 per gram, and 18k gold jewelry ranges from $27-37 per gram. Always look for a karat hallmark stamped on the jewelry piece.

Gram Weight
How many grams does the item weigh? This factor is very important because it shows how much gold is used to make the item. Generally, the higher the gram weight, the more expensive and stronger the jewelry is. For example, one pair of earrings may be wafer thin, weigh only 2 grams and cost $60. A similar pair of earrings may be slightly thicker, weigh 4 grams, and cost $80. Which is a better deal?

Though the answer is debatable, the standard reply would be the second pair of earrings is a better deal for two reasons. First, the price per gram for the second pair of earrings is $20 per gram, as opposed to $30 per gram for the lighter earrings. Secondly, you get twice as much gold for paying only $20 more. More gold is preferable because more gold usually means the item is stronger and less likely to bend or break.

Design
Design refers to the unique and intricate patterns, engravings, and finishes on gold jewelry. There are various finishes, like brushed, matte, and satin, which cost more than a regular polished finish. You can expect to pay a higher price/gram for decorative finishes, multiple gold colors, and new styles. In addition, any type of custom design work by hand increases the cost of the item significantly.

Craftsmanship (Quality)
Today, most jewelry is manufactured by precision machines that adhere to strict quality standards. Still, most jewelry requires a jeweler's handiwork for its finishing touches. The key points to check are areas where the jewelry moves or where separate pieces join together. Always inspect clasps, settings, and latches because they are most likely to break. Is it secure? Does it feel strong? Will it snag easily? Also, jewelry is sometimes marked by the country of origin. For example, Italian jewelry, renowned for their craftsmanship, is usually marked "Italy" and most Native American made pieces are crafted with precision and care. With proper care, a well-crafted piece of jewelry should last for years.