There is nothing like real gold. For thousands of years, kingdoms have been won or lost, wars have been waged, and lovers have exchanged vows over this precious metal whose economic value is as important as its cultural significance.
But before we start talking about central banks, cutting-edge technology and breathtaking designs – we are inviting all SheSpeaks members to enter our ALL ABOUT GOLD GIVEAWAY because May is gold month! To enter, just comment below and you could win a pair of exquisite, genuine, out-of-this-world, luxe 14kt gold earrings!
The Value of Gold
Gold was first used as a standard of currency and a way to define wealth in 643 B.C. It evolved to a paper system that was redeemable in coins. The Gold Standard was abandoned in the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Gold prices hit an all-time high of $1,895 an ounce in September of 2011. Today, the price of gold is $1,294 per ounce and silver is $19 per ounce. 100 million people worldwide depend on gold mining for their livelihood.
Gold Metal
Along with rhodium, palladium, silver, iridium and platinum - gold belongs to an elite group of elements on the periodic table known as the “noble metals.” It is lustrous, malleable, non-reactive, and is the most reflective of known materials. Just one ounce of gold can be drawn into a wire nearly five miles long or be hammered into a sheet of gold so thin that it could cover an area of 100 square feet. It will not oxidize, rust or tarnish.
Alloying
In gold jewelry, a process known as alloying is used to mix other metals with pure 24 karat gold—to add durability and to change its color. Base metals like zinc and copper are often used. The most familiar colors of gold jewelry are yellow, white, and rose. For example, a white gold wedding band is often created by alloying pure gold with white metals such as palladium or silver. In addition it is usually plated with rhodium to create a harder surface with a brighter shine.
Fineness
In the United States we define gold jewelry’s fineness with the term "karat" ("kt" or "K") which refers to the amount of gold in the piece. A karat consists of 24 parts in total. Therefore 24kt gold jewelry, which is often used in Far East, is composed of 24 parts of pure (.999 fine) gold and no alloys whatsoever. 18kt gold, which is often used in Europe, is made up of 18 parts pure gold and six parts of other metals. Dividing the 18 parts by 24 and multiplying by 100 for a result of 75 will determine the percentage of pure gold in the recipe. 10kt gold is 41.7% pure gold and 14kt is 58.3% pure gold.
Manufacturing and Production
Gold’s radiance has been irresistible to goldsmiths and artisans since the time of Cleopatra. Today you can find high quality jewelry made in India, Peru, Turkey, China and in Italy where the tradition of gold manufacturing can be traced back 3,000 years to the exquisite designs of the Etruscans. The Goldsmith Schools of Milan and Turin lead the world in outstanding technical production. The gold Industry is centered in Arezzo and in Vicenza which hosts Vincenza Oro,The World Premier Jewelry Fair, every year.
How To Enter
Do you like gold? If so, you should enter our ALL ABOUT GOLD GIVEAWAY where you can win a pair of chic, classic, substantial, timeless, dream-of-a-lifetime 14kt gold earrings!
To enter, just comment below and tell us about your favorite piece of jewelry! Maybe it was something you received as a gift or on a special occasion, or maybe it was something you saved-up for, or purchased while on vacation, or even treated yourself to after achieving that 'special promotion' - we'd love to know why it is special to you!
*This giveaway is open through June 2nd to USA residents over 18 years of age. No purchase necessary.
CONGRATULATIONS to our Winner: charles
My favorite piece of jewelry is one that I never take off. It's a gold necklace that I've had for as long as I can remember, & one of my grandmothers brought it back from Italy for me. It has a charm on with Jesus' profile on one side of it & the words "God protect me" written in Italian on the other side. Since I have no children of my own, I always tell my Godson (who is also my nephew), PJ, that I want him to have it one day, because he is the person who is closest to my heart!
My favorite piece of jewelry that I always wear is a simple gold cross that my parents bought for my daughter when she was sick. After she passed away from the brain tumor I have worn it every day there is not any other piece of jewelry that would replace it
My favorite piece of jewelry is my engagement ring. I helped pick it out (except for the diamond). It's platinum with diamonds in the band. I love it!
My favorite is a gold pendant necklace given to me from my grandma! It is so pretty plus has a special meaning since it is from her.
When my plain gold wedding band got too tight for me, my hubby noticed a beautiful ring on QVC. It is a nice size sparkling white CZ set in a lovely band of gold that is wide around the stone, and then tapered around your finger. It fits very comfortably, and looks like a sparkly diamond set in the middle of a gorgeous piece of gold. (It was more expensive than the average, but a whole lot less than that size diamond would have been - go QVC!)
I loved sitting at my grandmother's kitchen table having long talks with her about life (and death) while she cooked. One day, she asked me what I would most like to inherit from her estate when she died. I knew the story of her gorgeous opal earrings, a romantic gift from my grandfather, and had always admired them. When I told her I wished to have those earrings, she pulled them out of her ears and handed them to me. "I want to make sure you are the recipient of them. Take them now." They are my treasure!
my favorite piece is a plain gold band i bought for myself years ago and then lost it when i moved
My favorite piece of jewelery is my engagement ring.
My favorite piece is a gold antique bangle bracelet which was a gift from one of my aunts. It seems to be a one of a kind piece of jewelry. Now that my aunt has passed I cherish it even more.
The very day of my wedding day ( over 27 years ago ) my mother surprised me. During the ring ceremony. Not only did my husband give me his mother wedding band ( which I all ready knew about ) but with it, was my mothers wedding band. My sweet father give her on their wedding day...I was soooo overwhelmed. As I looked at both my parents. My sibling we so happy. There was not a dry eye in the "house"...that is my favorite piece of gold ! Which I cherish every single day ! :-)
Besides my wedding rings, its probably a sapphire necklace that my husband gave me shortly after our first was born. Money was pretty tight then, so I wasn't expecting it, but its beautiful and I still wear it all the time!
My favorite pieces of jewelry aside from my wedding ring - which my husband picked out himself - is a ring he bought me for our 10th anniversary with my birthstone set with diamonds - pairs nicely with my wedding ring set - and the black onyx ring my grandparents gave me for my 18th birthday.
a pearl bracelet from my husband
My favorite piece of gold is the gold chain and cross my wife gave me the day of our wedding. I have not been able to take it off. Love you honey!
My favorite piece of gold is my wedding band and engagement ring with anniversary ring set, it has been on my finger since 1985 and will never come off!!