Paved In Gold
John Keats once observed that "a thing of beauty is a joy for eons." Like a magnet, attractive beauty pulls people in. For centuries, jewelry—especially jewels—has been the primary source of a woman's (or man's) desire. Gold was a common material for the clothing of emperors, kings, and queens. Gold's superiority over other metals has persisted throughout history. When it comes to engagement rings, wedding bands, and other forms of fine jewelry, diamonds aren't even close to the top of the list. This shift, though, is undeniably more accessible to Asians. White gold and diamonds are particularly popular in Europe.
When individuals wore jewelry, it was typically made of solid gold and was quite heavy. That was the mark of the affluent, for sure. Gold brooches with intricate designs were essential to the formal attire of women at balls and other formal events. White gold is less common than yellow because of its higher price.
The bridal jewelry, including gold earrings for women, necklaces, and anklets, is heavy gold. Every lady at the bridal party is wearing some sort of gold jewelry, from the bride's headpiece to her mother's bracelets. Gold is the standard by which all other accomplishments must be measured.
Gold jewelry of today is neither substantial nor unique. The world's economy is currently experiencing a severe scarcity of resources across all dimensions. Even decorations have the imprint of modern technology. Handmade gold rings and necklaces are passed down through the family. The new owners might have the diamonds recreated in the latest style. Once in a while, they'll melt down a 24-karat gold set and make a new one. As a result, its worth drops from 20 to
just 13 or 12 carats. Currently, a woman can get two sets of gold earrings from a single gold bracelet. A logical and effective business deal!
To make gold more portable and affordable, it is often mixed with other metals. And because of this, simple gold jewelry is now considered antiquated. Beads, pearls, emeralds, and other precious stones adorn and embody gold necklaces and rings. Jewelers have also accomplished much in the way of making gold accessible by plating jewelry in gold. The majority of gold jewelry is machine manufactured, and the majority of the designs are also repeated. When you see what the modern world does to gold jewelry, you realize that not everything that shines is indeed gold. However, it does assist those who are self-conscious about their social standing by proving that they, too, can afford to wear gold.
Which is the Best Decision When Shopping For Gold Jewelry?
From the beginning of time, gold has been the key to achieving greatness. As is common knowledge, everyone who has more gold wants even more of it. Given that ancient Egyptian pharaohs and the English lords who ruled over the rest of Europe in the 1500s were both linked to the precious metal gold, this is especially apt. Remember the Russian tsars and their vast fortunes. The use of gold as a medium of exchange facilitated the rule of Europe for ages. This was done to prevent the lower class from rising to your level. The price of gold continues to dictate conditions in all global markets today.
The Royal Canadian Mint reported a $15 million gold heist in 2009. They have suffered a devastating loss from which there is no hope of ever recovering. If true, this theft is among the greatest gold thefts of the current century. The old proverb is, unfortunately, still true today. (The greater your wealth...) Even if you took it slowly, the Royal Canadian Mint would be unable to accommodate the removal of that much gold. I don't understand why this inconsistency wasn't picked up sooner.
This is fascinating, but I need to get to our main point: why you should consider purchasing 14karat gold instead of 18-karat.
Many Europeans hold the false belief that the gold found across the ocean is of a higher grade than that found in their continent since it is typically at least 18 carats in purity and has a pinkish hue. They look down on anything they perceive as being of lower quality. When compared to many European countries, such as India, the price of gold is significantly lower in Asia. It represents a lot of different things, and it's widely recognized for that. Gold in India must contain 22% gold or higher. Many women in India hold this item in the highest regard. As a symbol of joy and celebration, gold is often purchased for use in these ceremonies. If I had to guess, I'd say that the jeweler uses a variety of colored alloys to get the desired hue.
Let's take a closer look at the definition of 18-karat gold. Given its inherent softness, gold requires reinforcement from other materials like alloy before it can be used. Simply put, 18-carat gold contains 75% gold and 25% alloy. Rings and chains with a higher carat content are not as
durable as their 14-carat counterparts, despite their higher face value. A wedding band made of 14-karat gold, for instance, is less likely to shatter than one made of 18-karat gold if the wearer is a man who engages in manual labor or who enjoys working with his hands. Although the softer 18-carat gold would be more suitable for formal events, I find that the more practical 14-carat gold is better suitable for daily use.
Chains and earring posts made of 14-karat gold have long been my preferred accessory. My substantial wedding band is likewise made of 14-karat gold. I can't tell you how many times I've heard about someone taking their new piece of 18-karat gold jewelry to a jeweler for maintenance so soon after purchasing it. Too much wear and tear from regular use makes it impractical to fix correctly. Restoring it can be challenging, and the cost of doing so may not be justified. It's more practical to get a brand-new replacement.