Gold is a relatively rare metal which does not react with most chemicals. This is why gold appears in nature in an almost pure form and it is very shiny. This combination of qualities, along with the easiness of processing it, had turned gold from a rock to a status symbol – we wear gold, we decorate with gold, we use it as a basis of the monetary system and, recently some have begun to eat gold (but I will not go into that).
Gold has a variety of uses but we are interested, of course, in the use of gold to create jewelry. I’m writing this post to clarify some basic terms in relevance to gold jewelry.
First – Karats. We are all familiar with the indication of karats (14 karats, 18k, 22k) next to jewelry but many are not sure of the true meaning. Karat indicates purity in precious metals - the percentage of pure gold in an alloy (Carat, with a “c” indicates weight of precious stones). The basis is that 24 karats indicates total purity so if a piece of jewelry is made of a metal that is 50% gold it will be designated as 12k and so on. Since gold is a very soft metal, it is mixed with other metals to create jewelry and we can find jewelry containing gold up to 22k but not pieces made of pure gold.
And now, the colors.  As mentioned, gold is mixed with different metals to create alloys. Different alloys have different colors and the most common ones are yellow gold, white gold and rose (red) gold.
Yellow gold is, so to speak, the “regular” and familiar gold. White gold is an alloy with Palladium, nickel and sometimes with zinc and its color is similar to silver or platinum. Rose gold is an alloy of gold and copper, giving the reddish color. The higher the percentage of copper in the alloy – the redder the color will be.
Which gold do you prefer? Write and tell me about it.

On TU BE’AV, the Jewish love day celebrated today, nothing is more appropriate than discussing the most common motive in the world of jewelry – a Heart. In silver or gold, from diamonds or beads, as a pendant, an earring or a ring – hearts rule and can be found incorporated in designs by most jewelry designers in Israel, and all over the world..
And why not actually? Jewelry are one of the most identified items with the idea of a “Romantic present” (for a birthday, reconciliation, flattery and of course – to propose marriage) and the heart is a symbol of love.
Unfortunately, the use of hearts in jewelry has been so worn out it has amounted to pure kitsch. It is nice to see though, some more original uses of a heart by some of our talented designers such as this ring designed by Hagit Re’em, a heart pendant combined with a leather strap by Rosi Ben Tora and of course the heart earrings by Dana Notkovich, of which I told you already.
So, to all you lovers and ‘inlovers’ (of jewelry or anything) here is a selection of all sorts and kinds of heart jewelry and to all of you celebrating – a very happy Love day!! (I will wait with the rest for next year )

Hey everyone and welcome!

Here you can find a lot of information on Israeli jewelry designers I recommend, jewelry stores, interesting jewelry from all over the world, news on jewelry, articles, tips and everything on jewelry I would like to tell you about!

If you wish to help and contribute your knowledge on a specific jewelry designer or anything else regarding jewelry you are more than welcome to write to me at blogger@jewelry4u.co.il . Comments are most welcome.

Yours,

Rotem