Gold has captured the imagination of craftsmen from all over the world since ancient times. Pure gold, also known as 24 carat gold, is a lustrous metal that is malleable, ductile, and a good conductor of heat and electricity. Termed as a noble metal by alchemists, gold has no oxides and remains stable during chemical reactions and when alloyed with other metals like iridium, rhodium, copper, silver and nickel. The existence of gold in nature is relatively rare and in its native state is often found mixed with silver and mercury.
Gold is often considered superior to other metals when it comes to fashioning jewellery and large artefacts like crowns, thrones and idols. The intrinsic beauty of gold as an item of jewellery is indisputable. Gold can be polished, carved, cast, drawn into wires and beaten into thin leaves and sheets. All of these qualities make it ideal for use in jewellery. Gold is also often used in medicine, cosmetics and electronics.
Pure gold is soft, bends easily and is perfect for making ornaments when it is alloyed with other metals. Diamonds and gemstones are best set in 18 or 20 carat gold. The purity of gold can be ascertained by its natural yellow colour and brightness. 24 carat gold is the purest, while electrum is 20 carat gold and is around 20 per cent silver. White gold is an alloy of silvery white metals belonging to the platinum group, such as rhodium, iridium or palladium.
Nickel is often used in the manufacture of white gold. Standard white gold has a strong, yellow tone and zinc is often used to increase the whiteness. Jewellery made of white gold is cheaper than more expensive platinum items. The colour of an item changes depending on the amount of metal used in the alloy. A higher proportion of silver gives a greenish colour, while copper imparts a pinkish or reddish tone.
The purity of gold is inversely proportional to the alloy mix. 22 carat gold is 22 parts gold and 2 parts another metal, making it 91 per cent gold. Gold is often used in the manufacture of bangles, amulets, pendants, brooches, necklaces, rings, watches and earrings. Gold is also used to make sovereigns and coins.
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