| Gold
Gold is everywhere around us--in the plants, in the earth,
in our bodies, in the rivers and oceans, in telephone and
electronic circuits. Yet it is so rare, that all the world's
gold could fit into a modern oil tanker.
This
rarity, along with its special properties, helped create a
mystical aura around gold that led ancient cultures to use
it for their temples, tombs, palaces, and ornaments. Let's
examine the properties that differentiate gold from other
metals. This can help determine why it has been so treasured
and what advantages and disadvantages it has to offer as a
jewelry metal.
Gold
Properties
Gold in its pure state:
Does not corrode, tarnish, or rust. The gold coins and jewelry
found in sunken ships are as bright and shiny as they day
they were made. Gold can last forever.
Can
be flattened and stretched more easily than any other metal.
One ounce of gold can be drawn into a wire 50 miles long or
flattened into a thin sheet 10,000 times the surface area
of a gold coin. Entire palaces can be covered with gold leaf
using only a small amount of gold.
Has
a deep yellow color and a high luster. This yellow color led
ancient civilizations to link gold to the sun, the giver of
life. By mixing other metals with it, gold can be given a
variety of colors.
Has a melting point of 1063° C (1945° F). When it
is alloyed (mixed) with other metals to form 14K yellow gold,
the melting point is lowered to about 830° C (1525°F).
Is
softer than most metals. It has a hardness of 2 to 2.5 on
the Mobs' scale of hardness, meaning that it can easily be
scratched and scraped. Gold becomes harder when alloyed with
other metals.
Is heavy compared to most other metals. Pure gold is about
19.3 times heavier than water and almost twice as heavy as
silver and lead. Alloying it with other metals decreases its
weight. 14K yellow gold is about 13 times heavier than water.
Is
relatively rare and therefore expensive. More steel is poured
in one hour than gold has
been poured since the beginning of time. Gold's malleability
and resistance to corrosion and oxidation make it an ideal
metal for jewelry, but it is not necessarily the best. Platinum
is also an excellent choice for jewelry. Chapter Ten explains
why.
This
yellow color
The
thickness
percentage
of copper
If
you prefer to buy
Accidentally
spotted
Apply
a drop of aqua
Determined
by calculating
Becoming
increasingly popular
white
gold prongs
|
