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Jewelry
Jewelry Some facts about Gold GOLD is the most malleable and ductile of all metals. It is said that a single ounce of GOLD can be drawn to form a wire more than 60 kilometres long without breaking. With a specific gravity 19 times that of water, virtually immune to the effects of oxygen it will not corrode or rust and is an excellent conductor of electricity. GOLD cannot be broken down into any more elementary substances, nor can any other substance be made from it. Its colour and lustre have lured men and women with an irrational attraction since it was first discovered. Many have succumbed to “GOLD FEVER”. It has been said by many an astute observer, that once a person has been afflicted with GOLD FEVER one is then afflicted for the rest of their lifetime, an illusive love affair that never truly fades. 
The various forms of gold From fine particles, almost invisible to the naked eye, through to nuggets many kilograms in weight. The largest GOLD nugget ever found in the world was found on the 5th of February 1869 at Moliagul, 14 kms northwest of Dunoll, in the heart of the Victorian Goldfields, Australia. It weighed a massive 2280 troy ounces. That’s more than 70 kilograms. The Hand of Faith Nugget found at Kingower approx. 30 kms north of Dunolly in October 1980 is the largest GOLD nugget known to remain in existence today. It is also the largest GOLD nugget ever found with a metal detector weighing 875 troy ounces, more than 27 kilograms. Sold in 1982 for a reputed sum of around AUD$1 million (US$1.31 million) it is now on display in the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas. Rarely ever, is GOLD found in its crystalline form. Gold Nuggets are worth far more than crushed or smelted gold as each nugget is truly unique. Created by nature, no two nuggets are ever the same; each has its own special beauty. 
Gold has been used to make fine Jewellery for centuries. Gold has various other metals added to it over the years to give it hardness or to change the colour slightly E.g. Rose Gold, White Gold. 24 Carat = 100.0% pure 18 Carat = 75.00% pure 9 Carat = 37.50% pure The earliest pieces of jewelry consisted of animal bones made into necklaces and other ornaments, but the ancient Egyptians first began the process of embellishing metals around 1333-1323 B.C. They commonly used gold and Silver and inlaid these metals with semiprecious stones. Upon the beginning of Greece's classic period, rings were extremely popular. At the height of the Roman Empire, they were often worn on all ten fingers. The Byzantine nobility decorated themselves in extravagant fashion, and they were constantly decked out in ornate jewelry. During this age, clothing was modified by adding precious gems such as rubies, emeralds, pearls and gold. This era was defined by elegance and class. The 15th century to the early 17th century, or the period of the Renaissance, was marked with distinct, fashionable costumes. Silk and rich velvet robes for both men and women were embroidered with pearls and gems. Jewelry during this period was characterized by rich colors and by architectural and sculptural designs. Brooches and pendants containing miniature portraits became exceedingly common at this time. Jewelry in the 17th and 18th century fell into two categories: jewelry that reflected changing fashions in arts and clothing and diamond jewelry. The desire for increased brilliance led people to opt for diamonds as their preferred gemstone. In the 18th and 19th centuries, industrial development made it possible to produce popular jewelry at lower costs. The beginning of the 20th century was characterized by the beginning of a new era in jewelry making. Ren? Lalique, the French glass and jewelry designer, perfected the art nouveau movement first invented by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Ren? Lalique's stunning creations which featured nature themes using semiprecious gems, plick-ajour enamel, carved ivory and colored glass, are displayed in many museums throughout the world. At the same time, state of the art objects made of sterling silver began to emerge throughout Europe and the United States. In the 1920's, Art Deco, another popular movement, was introduced in France. Art Deco incorporated geometric shapes not only in jewelry, but also in many aspects of decorative art. After the First World War, new technological advances greatly simplified the use of platinum and palladium as new setting mediums for diamonds. In addition, new casting technologies along with new sophisticated machinery allowed for the production of more versatile jewelry by using different patterns, shapes and styles. 
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