Add some Radiance to your Wardrobe with some new Gold Jewelry

Gold. Say it a thousand times...it's one of the only words that never loses its power. Gold is more than mere decoration. It is more than a symbol. Men have bled and died for it. Yet, it is nothing more than a chemical element, number 79 on the periodic table. What it its appeal?Gold is the original precious metal. It has been used in jewelry, coinage, and in dentistry for thousands of years. It is impossible to say what first attracted ancient peoples to gold. Perhaps it was nothing more than its bright yellow luster, which is undeniably attractive. In time, however, gold was prized for its rarity. Great civilizations like the Romans printed the visages of their emperors on gold coins.

How rare is gold? Only about 165,000 tons of it has been mined in the history of the world. By comparison, about 1.4 million tons of silver have been recovered. Demand for gold has never been higher. As in ancient times, the metal remains a safe haven for investors who fear economic instability. Since 2007, the price of an ounce of gold has more than doubled, from about 600 dollars to around 1,300 dollars.

About 40 percent of world gold reserves are used for investments. Governments, corporations, and individuals purchase them as a hedge against inflation. In the current economic environment, gold has never seemed safer.

Of course, Gold has and probably always will be a decorative metal. Over 50 percent of earth's gold is used in jewelry. The remaining 10 percent, in case you were wondering, is used in industry, mainly in dentistry and in electronics. Consider for a moment the many symbolic and decorative uses of gold.

The single most powerful and enduring auriferous symbol is the wedding band. The tradition dates back to early Roman times. A simple circular band symbolized eternity and gold was the most popular choice for men of means because it was beautiful and rare.

Shopping for Gold

As we mentioned, gold is most commonly used in jewelry. Now, you may be wondering how it is so easy to find if it is so rare. It can be found at any department store in the land. Even Kmart sells it!

Well, the truth is that most of the gold that is used in jewelry is not pure gold. Pure gold can't be purchased on the cheap. After all, it has a market value of over $1,300 an ounce! The gold jewelry we see advertised in circulars and on the internet is often either electroplated or of inferior quality, meaning less pure.

As you may know, gold is measured in karats, with 24 karats being the purest form. When gold is offered in 18 karats, for instance, it means that the metal is 18 parts gold and 6 parts some other base metal.

What to look for?

All gold jewelry sold in America must have the manufacturer's trademark engraved on it somewhere. That is the law. Some unscrupulous salesmen and jewelers try to convince customers that the trademark was removed when they sized the item. More often than not, this is an underhanded trick.

Gold jewelry is prized for two simple reasons. Firstly, gold is the most docile and malleable of the precious metals. As a result, a trained jeweler can create magnificently intricate and artistic pieces of jewelry when he uses pure gold. Secondly, gold retains its value better than any other metal. Even if the piece is old and the links in the chain are broken, gold can be melted down and sold for a profit.

As an Ornament

Gold is also the most beautiful metal on earth. It can compliment nearly any outfit, from casual to formal. Though gold is obviously much more popular with women, it is one of the few ornaments that most men feel comfortable wearing. Men wear gold watches, bracelets, necklaces, and wedding rings.

Of course, the fairer sex knows far more about gold than the guys. They know how to coordinate it with nearly any outfit in their wardrobe. Most women have impressive collections of gold pieces, some of which are worn to work or causal get-togethers and others that are displayed on more formal occasions.

Colors Combinations

Gold naturally compliments nearly any color in the spectrum. Gold jewelry can be worn with white, pink, brown, blue, or orange outfits. But there is one color that seems to compliment gold, and vice versa, better than all the rest. When worn with the classic little black dress, gold shines. Don't ask us why, but the two colors just work together.

Shoppers should consider their wardrobes when they shop for gold jewelry. Of course, the most important thing is to get what you pay for. Always ask to see the gold trademark. If it is not on the piece, simply walk away. Counterfeit jewelry is quite common and the trademark is the only way to ensure that the piece is genuine gold.

Jim Newton is a freelance writer who writes about fashion apparel such as gold jewelry.