Gold Fever

When you were a kid, did you ever go searching for that magical “pot o’ gold” at the end of the rainbow? Have you journeyed with Percy Jackson and his friends on a quest to find and retrieve the Golden Fleece? Did you ever think you might find a pirate treasure trove filled with pearls, jewels, and golden coins?  According to Neil Gaiman, a writer for National Geographic “The lust for gold spans all eras, races, and nationalities. To possess any amount of gold seems to ignite an insatiable desire to obtain more”

Gold:  that magical piece of yellow metal has, from the beginning of time, held great importance to civilizations around the world.  It has been the means of which wars have been fought over and countless lives have been lost trying to find that elusive vein of gold. Historically, gold brought on rumors of a golden city named “El Dorado” which spread like wildfire.
 

Gold can be measured in karats, the weight or the amount of gold. Gold ranges from 10 karat to 24 karat.  24 karat is the most malleable and the purest kind of gold. By comparison, 10 karat gold is created by metals added to the gold in order to alter its ductility (ability to undergo change of form without breaking), and hardness.  In  fact, all karat weights other than pure  24 Karat are achieved by combining the gold with other metals.

 

Gold is a metal that lasts forever. “Gold is an expression of love, a meaning which carries across generations and cultures.” WGC.  Early Egyptians wore a simple band of silver or gold on the 3^rd finger of their left hands, believing it’s connected directly to the heart by a vein, called the Vena Amoris by philosophers.

According to the World Gold Council, “two thirds of American women say they think of their gold jewelry as an investment, but one to be treasured and handed down to future generations. While 72% feel that gold is an everlasting gift, over ¾ of brides say ‘I Do’ with a ring of gold, thus affirming that the commitment made will be an eternal bond. This simple possession will quickly become the most precious jewelry she ever owns.”

Not only is Gold an expression of eternal investment, but one of monetary as well. Gold is the determining factor for a country’s currency value. “Gold has been widely used throughout the world as a vehicle for monetary exchange, either by issuance or recognition of gold coins or other bare metal quantities or through gold – convertible paper instruments by establishing gold standards in which the total value of issued money is represented in a store of gold reserves.” WKP

Gold will enhance the natural colors of any gemstone. Gold is a wise choice for not only a monetary investment; but one of an eternal nature as well.

 

 

 

 

Sources: World Gold Council

               Wikipedia

               National Geographic

International Gemstones: in full array of rainbow colors:

 

When I was younger, my mother checked out a book from our local library called King Solomon’s Mines, by H. Rider Haggard. This incredible book tells the story of a group that travels to Africa to find a missing person. While there the group eventually is led to the legendary mines of the biblical King Solomon. The mine is full of ivories, diamonds and gold, and the explorers are fascinated by the accumulated riches. Because they uncovered this remarkable treasure, they return to England and live in comfort the rest of their lives. This fabled treasure of King Solomon has captured the fascination and imagination of people for centuries.

 

A lot like the people in the story were fascinated by the gemstones found in the cave, gemstones continue to fascinate people. Being fascinated by the variety of gemstones available, two of them have been foremost in my mind; Garnets and Sapphires. Mainly because I was unaware that these precious gems come in a full array of colors!

 

Garnets are fascinating because the only color it does not come in is blue. Red is the most well known color of the garnets, and that is why it’s probably considered the traditional color. Despite the fame of the well-known red many other beautiful colors exist, and it is these other shades that intrigue me.  Another fascinating fact is that some garnets change colors depending upon the light, such as Alexandrite.

 

The majority of the world’s garnets come from Africa, a land of wonder, and and people with unique cultures, and riches well known to mankind.  Countries such as Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique, present us with a variety of the world’s garnets.

Tsavorite, for example, comes from Tsavo, Kenya, and Tanzania. Tsavorite is as valuable, and rare as emerald because it only comes from these two countries in the world.

 This garnet is a gorgeous green color. Campbell Bridges the discoverer of tsavorite said “Tsavorite is a very beautiful green which can range from a fresh spring-green to a rich bluish-green and even a deep forest-green. Of all the valuable green gemstones, Tsavorite is the truest green.” www.bridgescollection.com/tsavorite

Tsavorite is used as an emerald substitute, because of the variety of green’s it comes in.


Spessartite Garnet is an amazing orange, to reddish brown “intensely radiant” colored garnet. It offers a different perspective, and works well in fancy shapes. This gemstones history has been one of a shadowy existence to being in the spotlight, and then to being vary rare. Thankfully though, deposits of this gorgeous colored gemstone were found in Namibia.

 

 





Sapphires. When that word comes to mind, automatically we picture a deep, brightly shining blue stone. According to Gemstone.org, blue is the favorite color of some 50% of people, men and women alike.

While this deep blue is the traditional color, sapphires come in all colors of the rainbow and can even be colorless. Think on it, all blue shades, to green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, gray, black and even brown. Kashmir Blue is the most valuable of all the sapphire colors, while the Cornflower Blue, comes in a close second. A red sapphire is considered a ruby. While those other colors are considered fancy sapphires.


 Unlike Tsavorite, sapphires come from all around the world; making them available and more well known.

Jewelry has always intrigued me, with the art, and the skill that it takes to make jewelry come alive. I have noticed that it truly does take time and imagination to make jewelry become spectacular. Jewelry speaks volumes when it comes to a person’s status in life, to a country’s heritage, and in the ways it allows a person to be someone different, even if it’s for a short period of time.

In today’s society jewelry is a fashion statement; we wear it to be bold, fun, flirty, mysterious and romantic. Jewelry is freedom of expression, and how we want to be viewed.

Bold jewelry means oversized stones, funky colored beads, and unique necklines. Although it’s anything but classic, it gives an air of modernity and shows that the wearer is up-to-the-minute and willing to take risks.

 Flirty jewelry brings to mind colorful, sparkly pieces that come in all shapes and sizes. It’s a great look for whatever the occasion may be, whether it be work, or a fun night on the town with your friends.

Classic Romantic  Jewelry on the other hand makes us think of old Hollywood actors such as Audrey Hepburn, and of European Royalty.  The craftsmanship of the jewelry means more than the idea of taking chances. This look is polished and precise with a splash of color.

Jewelry is a fun way to express oneself, and their status in life. Whatever your style may be, we hope that it speaks for you, and allows the piece to become spectacular!

new post coming soon Y'all!

About Creative Carats

Creative Carats is an informational blog about anything and everything to do with beautiful jewelery & Dale's Jeweler's located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. My name is Jill; the author. I'm originally from Cody, Wyoming. I work for Dale's Jeweler's. Doug is the owner of the company and the in- house jeweler, who also designs and creates his own line of jewelery 'Stewart Douglas'.

Dale's Jeweler's was originally owned and operated by Doug's father Dale. They began in Blackfoot, Idaho; about 30 minutes South of Idaho Falls. Dale's Jeweler's was opened in 1963, and eventually moved to Idaho Falls in 1992. Next year Dale's will be celebrating 50 years of business! That seems to be quite a feat these days.

When learning about Dale's Jeweler's, I found out that this was a family owned and operated company, which means that those of us who work here are a family. The amazing part is the customers that we come to know and love that truly make us a family.

My co-worker tried on this necklace this other day, and it was stunning on her! It's a beautiful mixture of White quartz, and Tanazanite.