When you think about jewelry, yellow gold is usually the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, yellow gold hoop earrings are the first collection we list on our LooptyHoops homepage! Yellow gold is shimmering and radiant, it can be formed into any shape or style, and it is remarkably durable and long-lasting. Gold hoop earrings are just one iteration of this incredibly versatile precious metal. But how did gold come to be so valued and widely used?
Gold has a fascinating and varied history on our planet. Many scientists believe that gold is the result of neutron-rich stars colliding.
Early civilizations placed a large value on gold because they believed it came from the gods. They thought that the more gold they had, the closer they were to those they worshipped. Some cultures would even use the gold they found to create idols and shrines.
Before gold became the standard form of currency, it was used to craft various personal items. Gold was (and still is) considered a symbol for wealth and status, so the more of these gold items you had, the higher your status. It was common for wealthy members of society to have gold plates, bowls, goblets, and vases.
Precious metals, such as gold, were often tied around a person’s neck or wrist for safekeeping if they were travelling. People began to notice that these metals were an attractive item when worn, and so the concept of gold jewelry was born. Since that time, gold has been used to craft elaborate decorative jewelry pieces for men and women all over the world.
Now gold can be found anywhere you look. We often think of gold in terms of jewelry or wealth, but it is used in nearly every part of our day to day lives. Small amounts of gold are a part of practically all of our electronic devices. Gold is also used in many areas of health and medical applications.
Serendipity 3, a café boutique in Manhattan, uses gold in an unusual way. Their claim to fame is the Golden Opulence Sundae which currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most expensive sundae in the world. This decadent dessert comes with gold-coated almond and is wrapped in a very thin sheet of edible 23 karat gold leaf. This certainly takes the extravagance of gold to a new level.
Like silver, gold is listed on our Periodic Table of Elements. Its symbol, Au, comes from the Latin word for gold, aurum, which translates to “shining glow.” It also comes from the Roman goddess Aurora, the goddess of the dawn. Gold is considered the most malleable element. It also does not degrade or dissolve over time. Unlike other metals, gold is resistant to air and moisture, so yellow gold jewelry will last for a long time without tarnishing.
When looking for gold jewelry, you will often come across a range of karat values. Pure gold is 24 karat gold. Therefore, 14 karat gold is 58.5% pure gold. So, what else is gold jewelry composed of to bring it to 100%? Most commonly, a combination of silver, copper, palladium, zinc, and nickel are mixed in to help stabilize and strengthen the pure gold. This means that any 14 karat gold item is 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% other alloy metals. An alloy is simply a mixture of metals, and in this case, this combination of metals helps create a beautiful, long-lasting piece of jewelry.
At LooptyHoops, we take pride in offering a wide variety of 14 karat yellow gold hoop earrings. From simple and elegant to elaborate and dramatic, you are sure to find the perfect pair of yellow gold hoops for you. Treat yourself to a small piece of yellow gold's rich and varied history by starting with our hoop earrings.
