Gold Jewellery Guide History, Care

Jewellery plays such an important role in our lives. From everyday wear to enhance an outfit to special gifts that carry a hundred memories and emotions, our jewellery tells a story – a story we never want to stop reading. And with such a rich, interesting history it’s no surprise that gold jewellery is so many people’s metal of choice. That’s why we’ve composed an extensive guide to fully understanding the heritage of gold jewellery as well as the role it can play in our lives now.

The History and Evolution of Gold Jewellery

Gold jewellery can be traced back thousands of years, as far back as 4400 BC however, we can infer that it may have dated back even earlier. Ancient gold jewellery was discovered by archaeologists during a dig in modern Bulgaria. They found hundreds of gold jewellery from the Thracian era.

Gold has been used for so many years due to its softness and resistance to tarnishing which means it can be moulded easily. Historically, gold was an indication of wealth and was seen worn by Kings and Royals.

Today, gold jewellery has become much more mainstream and its popularity has soared. It’s now seen as a regular fashion statement rather than a flash of wealth and superiority. Of course, it still has a similar meaning. There are certain pieces of gold jewellery such as designer or 24-karat jewellery that would suggest someone is wealthier.

Types of Gold Used in Jewellery Making

There are different types of gold used in jewellery making such as the different karats and colours. Below is an explanation of each of these types and their differences.

Karats

14-karat gold contains 14 parts gold (58% pure gold) and 10 parts alloys.

18-karat gold contains 18 parts gold (75% pure gold) and 6 parts alloys.

24-karat gold: is completely gold and has no alloys.

Colours

Yellow gold: appears naturally goldish.

White gold: has a more silvery/white finish. Alloyed with nickel or palladium and zinc.

Rose gold appears as a ‘pink’ gold. Combined with copper alloys.

Types of gold jewellery

Gold plated: base metal with gold covering it.

Gold-filled: a solid layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base.

Gold vermeil: a sterling silver base covered in thick gold plating.

Solid gold: made entirely of gold.

The Benefits of Wearing Gold Jewellery

Wearing gold jewellery has many benefits. Of course, there are the obvious ones: it looks good, it enhances any outfit, and it can hold special value to keep with you for comfort. It also keeps its economic value for years meaning you get value for your money. But surprisingly, wearing gold jewellery offers health benefits too! Some of these are:

Regulates body temperatures

Relief of arthritis symptoms

Reduces stress and anxiety

Boosts immunity

Improves skin health

Hypoallergenic

The Most Popular Gold Jewellery Designs

When it comes to gold jewellery there are tons of designs you can choose from. The most popular are necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants and rings. Jewellery trends tend to change over time however, for quite some time now dainty, chains of gold have been in fashion. This gives a more feminine look and its intricacy and attention to detail can often be an example of high quality. Very different to years ago when ‘the more the better’ seemed to be the policy whereas nowadays, people tend to go for a more understated look. Chain necklaces are very popular amongst men as well nowadays as are rings which of course have been a notorious design of gold jewellery for years, especially within the wedding market.

How to Choose the Right Gold Jewellery for you

When choosing your gold jewellery there are numerous things you should consider. Firstly, the style – what style screams you? This can mean design, size and any additional details. For example, if you have a smaller build you may not want to opt for huge, chunky jewellery that may drown you out. Whereas, having broader shoulders could benefit from longer necklaces that cover more of the exposed area. You also want to consider the colour in correlation to your skin tone. For example, if you are pale, very light, white gold may get washed out and too bright, harsh yellow gold may contrast aggressively. Why not try rose gold or a subtle yellow gold? When it comes to earrings, bigger earrings can slim your face if you have a naturally round one and if you have a smaller face, too big may again look out of proportion.

How to Clean and Care For Your Gold Jewellery

To keep your gold jewellery clean and shiny, you should wash it weekly using warm water, dish soap and a soft-bristled tooth brush. You should also be mindful to not keep it in too much direct sunlight.

The Investment Potential of Gold Jewellry

Gold is a great investment choice because it keeps its value over time. You can do this by buying gold jewellery and going on to sell it much later on; buying ETFs that track the gold markets and buying shares of a company that mines gold.

How to Choose the Right Gold Jewellery for a Special Occasion

When it comes to buying a gift for a special occasion, you cannot go wrong with gold jewellery. When choosing this you should consider the occasions. Is it an engagement ring? If so, you want to take an extensive look into the gold bands available as well as the stone. Does your bride want something big and blingy or more understated? Something traditional or something new and trendy? When it comes to anniversary gifts, you cannot go wrong with personal ones. Try something engraved so it’s unique to your special someone. Or perhaps something that commemorates the two of you for example, for your 40th wedding anniversary, your Ruby anniversary, why not incorporate a ruby into your gold jewellery gift? Go for sentiment so they know how much thought you put into it.

Show your loved one how much you care with a piece of gorgeous gold jewellery from Abelini; and celebrate your love with something valuable for years to come.

Faq

What civilizations were known for their gold jewellery making? How has it changed over time?

In many ancient cultures, gold was popular in jewellery. The ancient civilisations that most favoured the use of gold for their jewellery were the ancient Egyptians, the Sumer civilisation, the Minoan civilisation, the Chavin civilisation, the Nazca society, the Romans and the Byzantine era. It changed in size and style plenty over the years from cable chain jewellery to more thin and intricate designs such as moulding and engraving. It also then began featuring accents of other precious materials such as pearls and gemstones.

What is the difference between 14K and 18K gold? Is 24K gold pure gold?

18-karat gold is 75% pure gold and 14-karat gold is about 58% pure gold. 24-karat gold is pure gold with no other metals.

Why is gold considered a durable metal for jewellery?

It can resist tarnishing as well as be hammered into different forms and have wires drawn through it.

Is gold hypoallergenic?

Yes, the purer the metal the less chance of an allergic reaction.

What are some timeless gold jewellery pieces that never go out of style?

Necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings.

What is fair trade gold jewellery? How can I tell if my gold jewellery is ethically sourced?

Fair trade jewellery supports small-scale miners to ensure they receive a fair deal for their work. You can know if your gold jewellery is ethically sourced if the jeweller you bought it from has ensured its production had no negative impact on the environment or those that were part of the process.