Yellow Gold is an alloy produced by mixing pure Gold with other metals, Yellow Gold is and has been throughout the centuries, an appropriate metal for use in jewellery making and shaping other fine items. Pure Gold (24-carat) is too soft for these uses and therefore the Gold (usually in 75% quantities) is mixed with other base metals. Nowadays these include Silver, Copper, Nickel, Zinc and Palladium. The Yellow Gold colour is popular as it is a softer yellow, as opposed to the brightness of pure Gold.
The history of Yellow Gold, indeed pure Gold, dates back to around 4000 BC, with evidence of its use in Mesopotamia, Egypt and the Indus Valley. The Incas valued Gold as a symbol of power and gave it sacred properties. Gold jewellery was worn by both men and women, symbolising personal wealth and power. It was frequently combined with coloured stones, whether precious or otherwise. Examples of ancient artefacts and other items have been found across all early civilisations up to the modern day. Museums are overflowing with examples of items made from Yellow Gold. Mixing pure Gold with base metals as mentioned earlier, made it much stronger although easy to work with. It does not tarnish, which made it doubly valuable. Proof of the lasting qualities of Yellow Gold is the number of ancient artefacts, including jewellery and other items of personal adornment, that have survived.
Gold was discovered in rivers and streams in ancient civilisations. Its lustre made it desirable as a symbol of culture and power, and of course its wealth value. The metal could be polished to an even shinier state. The Ancient Egyptians were the first to mine Gold, evidence of these early excavations being discovered along the banks of the River Nile. They developed various methods of extracting the metal elements, and its processing and shaping into various forms. The use of Gold in objects of personal adornment made it much sought after. Egyptian Pharaohs were very often entombed with masks made of Gold, along with other precious treasures and personal effects. The long-lasting and sacred qualities attributed to Gold endorsed its value.
The ancient Minoan and Mycenaean civilisations used Gold for trading purposes in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, and early currencies used Gold Coinage. Greek temples were often adorned with Gold statues and other artefacts, again endorsing the symbol of Gold as divine or sacred. Aristotle noted the resistance of Gold to tarnish.
Ancient Romans also used Gold extensively both for personal adornment and in coinage. They established mines in various conquered countries and Roman Emperors had vast stocks of Gold items, much of it plundered.
China also used Gold as a trading commodity, especially during the Han dynasty, with evidence of early ingots being made from Gold.
