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Gold has always held a sacred allure and captivated the imagination of people throughout history. Rare, mysterious, luxurious, and precious, gold is considered the ultimate precious metal. By reputation, it remains the most sought-after material in the world of jewelry and fine jewelry. To be used in these fields, gold must be combined with other metals to make it harder and more durable.
From yellow to white, through rose and other less common shades, its many colors allow it to complement a wide range of skin tones, pair with any stone, and suit every individual's taste. Discover here everything you need to know about the characteristics and qualities of the noblest of precious metals - the material behind gold jewelry in 375 or 750.
The word "gold" comes from the Latin "aurum." While its symbolism varies across cultures, it generally represents the embodiment of the divine in material form and is associated with purity, royalty, wealth, the sacred, and light. This sacred symbolism helps explain why gold is linked to sun gods such as Ra among the Egyptians, who were the first people to exploit gold deposits by creating mines to extract the precious metal.
The discovery of this metal dates back to the end of the Prehistoric era. Coveted by humans from very early on, gold was first used in Antiquity to craft jewelry and ritual objects (amulets, scepters, ornaments, etc.) or to adorn larger objects such as enormous statues. Later, it was also used to embellish various works of art (paintings, icons, golden Buddha statues in Thailand...).
Primarily used in the world of jewelry and fine jewelry, gold also serves a monetary function - ever since the first coins were struck in Lydia (a country in Asia Minor). Its use as currency spread widely, and in the Western world it remained in use until 1973, after which it became a national reserve currency (with personal or private value). To this day, gold is also used to confer the highest honors across a wide range of fields.
When it comes to gold production, the metal is sourced primarily through mining. The leading gold-producing countries include China, followed by Australia, the United States (Nevada and Montana), Russia, South Africa, Peru, Canada, Ghana, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan. On a global scale, the two largest gold mining groups are Barrick Gold and Goldcorp.
Gold is a precious metal that is extremely rare, with a natural yellow color. It has a face-centered cubic crystal structure. With a hardness of 2.5 and a density of 19.5, gold is one of the heaviest metals known today. Its melting point is 1,064°C, while its boiling point is 2,960°C. In its pure form, gold is inalterable yet also soft and malleable, making it easy to work with, cast, and strike.
The unit of measurement used to determine the proportion of pure gold in an alloy is the karat (or parts per thousand). The higher the amount of pure gold in a piece of jewelry, the higher the karat:
Today, 18-karat gold is the most widely used in the jewelry and fine jewelry industry in France.
Please note: do not confuse the measure of gold purity - the karat - with the measure of gold weight, which is expressed in troy ounces (1 troy ounce = 31.104 grams).
Since November 9, 1797, hallmarking gold jewelry has been mandatory in France. This marking is done by stamping hallmarks that indicate the gold content of the jewelry (unless the piece is too small). The regulatory hallmarks in use today are as follows:
While gold's natural color is yellow, it comes in different shades depending on the type of alloy used. Among the most common hues of this premium material, you'll find:
Yellow gold represents the base color of this metal. In terms of composition, it is a blend of pure gold (75%), silver (12.5%), and copper (12.5%). A timeless classic in the jewelry world, yellow gold is prized for its warm, rich tone. It is a low-maintenance metal and relatively easy to work with when jewelry repairs are needed.
White gold is composed of pure gold (75%) combined typically with palladium or silver (25%). It offers a less expensive alternative to platinum while delivering a similar look. Its relatively neutral color pairs beautifully with a wide variety of precious and semi-precious stones. White gold also has the advantage of excellent wear resistance thanks to its hard rhodium coating.
Rose gold is composed of pure gold (75%), silver, and copper - the copper being what gives it its distinctive color. More affordable than yellow gold or white gold, rose gold also offers a more distinctive look and a romantic connotation, which explains its popularity for wedding rings and engagement rings. This metal has the advantage of being particularly durable and holds up exceptionally well over time.
While yellow, white, and rose are the most common gold colors, this noble metal can also - depending on the alloy - take on other shades: green, blue, purple, or red. This broad color palette makes gold a material that can complement every type of stone and every skin tone.
When a piece of jewelry is described as "gold-plated," it means it consists of a layer of at least 3 microns of gold applied over another metal (brass and silver are the most commonly used in this case). As for "gold-washed" or "gold-dipped" jewelry, it features a gold layer of less than 3 microns applied over another metal. These characteristics explain why such pieces are less expensive, but they necessarily have a much lower value and a significantly shorter lifespan than pieces made from solid gold.
Beyond their visual appeal, women's gold jewelry and men's gold jewelry have the advantage of being tarnish-resistant, non-corrosive, and highly durable. Gold retains its brilliance and color over time, unlike other metals that can be affected by various environmental factors or chemicals. In fact, gold's beauty tends to improve with age - which is precisely why this material is so sought after for engagement rings and wedding rings.
Gold also has the advantage of being highly malleable, giving craftspeople considerable creative freedom in design. Another key strength of gold is that it represents a true investment, regardless of its form. Its price also remains more stable than that of other metals during periods of economic downturn.
While gold is a particularly resilient material that requires almost no maintenance, it can develop a slight tarnish when worn daily. To restore gold's full brilliance and beauty, simply clean the jewelry gently by soaking it in warm soapy water with a soft brush, rinse thoroughly, then dry with a soft cloth.
White gold jewelry requires slightly more upkeep. If the piece starts to look grey, rhodium plating may be necessary. This process involves applying rhodium to the jewelry to restore its brilliant white finish. Only a professional jeweler has the products and expertise needed to carry out this treatment.
Rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets… Ocarat offers a wide range of gold jewelry to suit every taste. Committed to quality, this online jewelry store has handpicked the finest gold jewelry on the market for you. Whatever gold tone you're looking for, you'll find the perfect piece on our site. Whether it's a gift or a treat for yourself, Ocarat is the ideal destination for men's gold jewelry and women's jewelry alike.
To prevent counterfeiting and guarantee buyers the purchase of quality pieces, the gold jewelry market is strictly regulated in France. To precisely identify gold jewelry and its gold content, hallmarking is mandatory. The required hallmarks are: seahorse, eagle's head, scallop shell, and clover.
Durability is one of the key advantages of gold jewelry. The properties of this material allow pieces to hold their shape and beauty, maintaining a radiant appearance that actually tends to improve with age. Light cleaning may occasionally be needed to keep your gold jewelry looking its best.
When worn daily, gold jewelry can develop a slight tarnish over time. For this reason, a little light maintenance can go a long way in restoring your jewelry to its original brilliance. Depending on the type of gold, cleaning and care techniques may vary.
To bring our customers the finest gold jewelry, Ocarat has curated the best brands and most premium pieces on the market. Whether you're looking for a gold ring, necklace, or bracelet, you're sure to find the jewelry that matches every wish and fits every budget at our online jewelry store.
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