- HAVERHILL
All About 14k Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry is classic and timeless. It's been worn for centuries, prized for its warm luster. Gold doesn't tarnish or turn green, it's easy to care for, and makes you glow whenever you wear it.
Gold is actually quite sustainable – can be used over and over without sacrificing its look or quality. HAVERHILL makes all our jewelry from recycled 14k yellow or white gold. As a precious metal, it retains its value, stands the test of time, and can be handed down through generations.
Whether it's showcasing gemstones or taking center stage on its own, gold is enduringly beautiful – a quiet luxury you can enjoy for a lifetime.
Read ahead to discover more about gold (specifically 14k gold), its meaning, history, and care, and get to know some of our favorite pieces of gold jewelry.
What Is Gold?
Pure gold is a metallic element that is bright yellow, soft, dense, and easily drawn or molded into different shapes. In fact, gold can be hammered into sheets that are less then 500 atoms thick and spun into fine threads. Gold is a precious metal, meaning that it's relatively rare and has a high monetary value. It doesn't rust, resists both corrosion and tarnishing, and is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
Gold has been mined for at least 6,500 years. Researchers believe that a gold mine found in Georgia (Europe) may be the oldest one in the world. It's currently mined in many countries, with China, Australia, and Russia being the leading producers.
Gold has been mined for at least 6,500 years. Researchers believe that a gold mine found in Georgia (Europe) may be the oldest one in the world. It's currently mined in many countries, with China, Australia, and Russia being the leading producers.
Rich yellow gold is a global symbol of wealth and luxury.
What is 14k gold?
Gold is an incredibly durable metal, but it's too soft to be used by itself in jewelry, so it's alloyed (mixed) with other metals to give it more strength. The amount of fine metal in an alloy is measured in karats. Twenty-four karat gold is considered virtually 100% pure; 14k gold contains 14 parts pure gold and 10 parts other metal alloys. Fourteen-karat gold is the most commonly used gold for jewelry – it's valued for its rich luster, bright color, durability, and affordability. Highly scratch-resistant, it's ideal for everyday wear.
Why Does HAVERHILL Use 14k Gold?
We use solid 14k gold in our jewelry because it's strong, highly scratch-resistant, and beautiful, making it ideal for everyday wear.
Other types of gold jewelry include gold filled, in which a thick layer of gold is added to another metal; gold plated, in which a thinner layer of gold is added; and vermeil, which is gold layered over a base of silver. With all these types of jewelry, the layer of gold can wear off over time. Using solid gold in our jewelry means that your pieces will keep their gleaming look indefinitely.
Other types of gold jewelry include gold filled, in which a thick layer of gold is added to another metal; gold plated, in which a thinner layer of gold is added; and vermeil, which is gold layered over a base of silver. With all these types of jewelry, the layer of gold can wear off over time. Using solid gold in our jewelry means that your pieces will keep their gleaming look indefinitely.
Yellow Gold and White Gold
All HAVERHILL jewelry is available in your choice of yellow or white gold. Yellow gold (which looks great on every skin tone) is usually mixed with copper and silver, for a beautiful warm hue. White gold is mixed with silver-toned metals such as zinc and nickel for a cooler color.
The Meaning of Gold
This precious metal has been prized for thousands of years in cultures all over the world. In fact, while some precious metals may be more expensive, it's rich yellow gold that's become a global symbol of wealth and luxury. Until the late 20th century, gold was the foundation of many national economies. It was commonly used as currency – rare enough to have inherent value; soft enough to be stamped as a coin; free of rust, tarnish, and corrosion; pleasingly heavy, durable, and beautiful in color.
Gold is a symbol of wealth, power, success, luxury, and good fortune. It's long been associated with royalty – for centuries, kings and queens were among the very few who could afford to wear it.
Gold represents the ultimate in quality or achievement; consider common phrases like good as gold, gold medal, gold star, heart of gold, strike gold, golden age, and golden rule.
Gold represents the ultimate in quality or achievement; consider common phrases like good as gold, gold medal, gold star, heart of gold, strike gold, golden age, and golden rule.
Wearing Gold Jewelry
The earliest records of gold jewelry date back to Ancient Egypt, though it's known that it was worn thousands of years earlier. (A 6,600-year-old gold pendant was discovered in Bulgaria in 2015.) Gold jewelry in Ancient Greece tended to feature intricate metal work rather than gemstones.
A symbol of protection and strength, gold is the metal to wear when you want extra supportand a boost of energy. Yellow gold in particular is associated with the sun's warm rays, and is thought to enhance one's feelings of happiness and optimism. Because gold can so easily be melted and reformed into different shapes, it's often seen as a symbol of transformation and renewal.
Sometimes called "the master healer," gold is associated with the heart, third-eye, and crown chakras, and has been worn to relieve tension, encourage positive thoughts, and sharpen one's intellectual abilities.
Sometimes called "the master healer," gold is associated with the heart, third-eye, and crown chakras, and has been worn to relieve tension, encourage positive thoughts, and sharpen one's intellectual abilities.
Fun Facts About Gold
• More than 75% of all mined gold is used for jewelry.
• Gold is so malleable that a single ounce can be hammered into a sheet approximately 15 feet square.
• An ounce of gold can also be spun into a thread over 40 miles long.
• The chemical symbol for gold, Au, is derived from the Latin word for the metal (aurum).
• Over 4,500 metric tons of gold bullion (bars) is stored at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Representing roughly half the gold reserves of the U.S. Treasury, it's worth about $130 billion.
• Pure gold is so soft it can actually be molded by hand.
• Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with a mixture of lacquer and gold dust so that the mending is valued and visible, not hidden.
• Gold is the traditional gift for a 50th anniversary.
• In small amounts, gold is perfectly edible. (So you can eat that sundae sprinkled with gold dust.)
• Gold is so heavy that one cubic foot of the metal weighs over half a ton.
• A one-ounce gold nugget is harder to find than a five-carat Diamond.
How Do I Care for Gold Jewelry?
One of the many reasons gold is such a popular metal for jewelry is that it's low-maintenance. Fourteen-karat gold is durable and highly scratch-resistant, making it ideal for everyday wear. You can wear your gold jewelry while sleeping, swimming, and exercising.
Your jewelry for everyday wear needs minimal care. Follow these common-sense tips for keeping it in good repair:
• Store gold jewelry in its pouch or box to help keep it from getting scratched.
• Remove rings before lifting weights or other heavy objects, which could bend the band.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to chlorinated water (an occasional dip is fine).
Your jewelry for everyday wear needs minimal care. Follow these common-sense tips for keeping it in good repair:
• Store gold jewelry in its pouch or box to help keep it from getting scratched.
• Remove rings before lifting weights or other heavy objects, which could bend the band.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to chlorinated water (an occasional dip is fine).
How Do I Clean Gold Jewelry?
Maintain the beauty of your jewelry by keeping it clean. Use a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner or mild, dye-free dish soap and water. Let it soak in a small bowl for a few minutes, then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to rinse it completely, and blot dry with a chamois cloth.
How Do I Clean Gold Jewelry?
Maintain the beauty of your jewelry by keeping it clean. Use a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner or mild, dye-free dish soap and water. Let it soak in a small bowl for a few minutes, then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to rinse it completely, and blot dry with a chamois cloth.
HAVERHILL Gold Jewelry
We love working with gold and being able to offer it in two different colors. All our gold is traceable and 100% recycled, allowing for repeated use without sacrificing look or quality. Here are some pieces that we feel really showcase the beauty of this precious metal.
Our Zodiac Pendant, available on a classic cable or mini paperclip chain, is a chic, shiny way to share your astrological story. A wonderful gift for any birthday.
Our Zodiac Pendant, available on a classic cable or mini paperclip chain, is a chic, shiny way to share your astrological story. A wonderful gift for any birthday.
The Engravable Flat Heart Pendant, suspended from a mini paperclip chain, is a beautiful symbol of love and friendship. Engrave it with your own initials or those of a special someone.
The Engravable Flat Heart Pendant, suspended from a mini paperclip chain, is a beautiful symbol of love and friendship. Engrave it with your own initials or those of a special someone.
Our Clover Stud Earrings are a playful way to invite good luck into your life. Lovely and lightweight, they're a pair you'll reach for time and again.
Our Clover Stud Earrings are a playful way to invite good luck into your life. Lovely and lightweight, they're a pair you'll reach for time and again.
Enjoy the timeless beauty of your 14k gold jewelry, knowing that it's both a part of history and a part of the future as it's enjoyed by future generations. It's meant to be lived in.
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FAQ
We use traceable, 100% recycled gold, which allows for repeated use without sacrificing look or quality.
Yellow gold is usually mixed with copper and silver, for a beautiful warm hue. White gold is mixed with silver-toned metals such as zinc and nickel for a cooler color.
Clean it occasionally with a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner or mild, dye-free dish soap and water. Let it soak, then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Rinse it completely, and blot dry with a chamois cloth. Store it in a pouch or box to help keep it from getting scratched and avoid prolonged expose to chlorinated water. Remove gold rings before lifting weights or other heavy objects, which could bend the band.
Absolutely. Yellow gold and silver make an appealing, dramatic contrast, while white gold and silver are very similar in appearance.
You can rest assured that all your HAVERHILL jewelry is crafted from solid 14k gold. If you have other pieces of jewelry you're in doubt about, there are any number of ways to test it at home.