Gold

The most common gold alloys

In general, there are numerous gold alloys; in Germany, the most common are 333 gold, 585 gold, 750 gold and 900 gold. The numbers indicate the fine gold content in parts per thousand; for example, the classic 750 gold has a fineness of 75%.

In other countries, different gold alloys are used. For example, in Thailand, jewelry is made from Thai gold , which has a fineness of 965. In India, 917 gold is common, while in France, 920 and 840 gold are common.

Different colors can be created by varying the amount of copper and silver. If gold alloys, such as white gold , red gold or yellow gold , consist only of these three metals, they are considered to be of particularly high quality.

It is also possible to create different colors by adding other elements. Cadmium is suitable for green gold, palladium for gray gold, indium for blue gold and aluminum for purple gold.

The fascinating history of the coveted precious metal gold

Already in the Egyptian high culture, gold was equated with the sun, with positions of power and with wealth. It was reserved for the pharaoh and his high priests, who used gold as a grave good in the form of jewelry, ritual objects, vases and masks. According to archaeological finds, the Lydians were the first people to mint gold and silver coins in the 7th century BC.
Swords richly decorated with gold patterns, as well as gold earrings and necklaces, were found from the Mycenaean culture of ancient Greece. Crowns, masks and vessels made of gold were also among these treasures.
During the heyday of the Roman Empire, Julius Caesar had Aureus gold coins minted. Since the core area, today's Italy, was poor in gold deposits, the conquests were used to import the precious metal from gold-rich areas.
The currency in the Byzantine Empire was gold coins called bezant. In addition, filigree goldsmith work was created, which was used primarily for liturgical jewelry, since gold was considered a symbol of eternity.
In the Middle Ages, due to economic difficulties and military unrest, the gold standard was temporarily replaced by silver coins and was not reintroduced until the 13th century by Frederick II.

The 14th century was the heyday of the legendary kingdom of Mali in West Africa, which was known for its large deposits of gold.
In the 15th century, Portuguese explorers set out to search for a river of gold, the legendary Rio d'oro, on the west coast of Africa - but without success.
Christopher Columbus also had the goal of finding new gold deposits during his journey across the ocean.
Alchemists have long been searching for the philosopher's stone, which is said to be able to transform metals into gold.
During the gold rush in Brazil at the end of the 17th century, significant gold deposits were discovered west of Rio de Janeiro. However, this period is overshadowed by the inhumane treatment of African slaves who were forced to work in the gold mines.
The fascination that the golden precious metal exerts on people did not diminish in the 19th century. Gold was discovered in numerous places all over the world, enticing adventurers to travel far and wide to search for gold and become rich.