Gold is one of the most precious materials on earth, and not by chance. Here’s why it’s valuable, what makes it special, and how to understand the karat table before you buy a piece of jewelry.
On this page
- What is gold? Characteristics and properties
- Why is gold so expensive?
- What sets gold apart from other metals
- How much gold exists in the world
- Karat table, a guide to understanding purity grades
What is gold?
Gold (chemical symbol: Au) is a dense, shiny, yellow metal. As a chemical element, it resists corrosion, doesn’t rust, and doesn’t react with most chemicals. It’s an especially soft and malleable material, the easiest in the world to work with.
Thanks to its properties it is used in many fields: jewelry and ornamentation, plating for electronic components, dentistry, and even as an international monetary standard.
Why is gold so expensive?
The price of gold stems from two simple factors: rarity and durability.
Unlike other metals, gold cannot be “manufactured”, it is formed by geological processes that take place over millions of years. The amount on earth is limited, and every amount already extracted essentially remains. Gold doesn’t rust, doesn’t decay, and doesn’t lose its value.
That is why a gold piece bought today can be passed down to children and grandchildren in an almost identical condition.
What sets gold apart?
Three exceptional characteristics distinguish gold from other metals:
A shine that never tires. Gold reflects light in a unique way, and doesn’t lose this over time. Its shine is part of its identity, not a layer of paint that might peel.
Exceptional malleability. One gram of gold can be hammered into an area of one square meter, or drawn into a wire kilometers long. This makes it possible to create delicate, intricate jewelry that can’t be made from other metals.
Hypoallergenic. Pure gold almost never causes allergies or irritation, which makes it an ideal choice for people with sensitive skin.
How much gold exists in the world?
Estimates hold that since the beginning of mining, fewer than 200,000 tons of gold have been extracted, an amount that could fit into just two Olympic swimming pools. This makes clear why gold is so rare: most of the gold ever mined still exists, some held by countries and banks, and the rest, held by the public, in the form of jewelry.
Karat table, the purity grades
The karat is the unit measuring the percentage of pure gold in a piece. 24K is 100% pure gold, but it’s too soft for everyday jewelry, so it’s mixed with other metals to create more durable alloys.
| Karat | Pure gold percentage | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | Investment, bullion, not for jewelry |
| 22K | 91.7% | Traditional jewelry (common in Asia) |
| 18K | 75.0% | Luxury jewelry, special occasions |
| 14K | 58.5% | The perfect balance, everyday + luxury |
| 10K | 41.7% | Sport jewelry, very durable |
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Come visit the factory store in Kfar Chabad or browse the online catalog. Questions? WhatsApp · 03-9601463
