Undoubtedly, gold remains as the ultimate medium of jewelry expression. For thousands of years, gold has beguiled man with its beauty, its warm luster and glow and its amazing attributes. Artisans and jewelers have crafted gold into stunning pieces of jewelry that are priceless and eternal. Gold is one of the most precious of earth's metals. It can be found almost anywhere but it is very difficult to extract pure gold. Although platinum is more expensive, gold remains unsurpassed as the most popular jewelry metal. As it does not corrode or rust, gold jewelry is exceptionally durable. It is also very malleable and pliable: a single ounce of gold can be drawn into a thin wire stretching almost 5 miles. In fact it is the most malleable and ductile metal known to man.

Pure gold or 24-karat gold is soft and pliable. That is why it is mixed with other metals to increase its durability. Karat quality determines the purity of gold. For instance, 14-karat gold is 14 parts pure gold mixed with 10 parts of a base metal. The higher the karat rating is, the higher the proportion of pure gold. Most gold jewelry pieces are marked with its karat quality. This helps you verify that the product you are viewing are truly made of gold. Gold is crafted into an endless myriad of jewelry pieces such as rings, chains, bracelets, charms, pendants, brooches, earrings and others. Moreover, because of the many amazing qualities of gold have many other uses. It is used in dentistry, coinage and for industrial purposes. The value of gold forms the base of monetary standard by many nations.

Buying gold jewelry is an excellent investment. Any jewelry collection would not be complete without any gold jewelry. Its radiant, sensual and warm quality make it the preferred metal used in wedding rings and other jewelry meant to be given to a loved one. When buying gold jewelry there are some important things to consider. One of these is the karat quality, as mentioned above. The different karat qualities include 10-karat gold, 14-karat gold and 18-karat gold. However, some gold jewelry is not necessarily purely made of gold. Jewelry can also be plated with gold. This means that a base metal is coated with a layer of gold. In time, the layer of gold will wear away depending on how often the piece is worn. Other terms you should know about gold jewelry include gold-filled, gold overlay, and rolled gold plate.

When choosing gold jewelry, it is important to know its qualities and characteristics. Gold jewelry has many finishes such as matte gold, which is achieved by using an abrasive, resulting in a dull and non-reflective surface. Another kind of finish is the high-polish finish, where the jewelry is polished to an almost mirror-like shine. Gemstones and other metals that can be inlaid with the gold itself add another dimension of beauty and value, although gold is simply stunning by itself. Choose a piece of gold jewelry that matches your personality. Whether it is a simple gold chain, a ring engraved with your names or a chunky gold bracelet, you will find the gold jewelry piece that exudes your personality. Moreover, wearing it also enhances the way you look, giving you class and style. Without a doubt, gold continues to enamor men and women, and continues to be the ultimate jewelry metal.

About the author :

Timothy A. Garyantes enjoys jewelry and recommends: Gold Jewelry Makes Great Gifts
as a resource for information about gold jewelry.

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