Johnny's Blog: AQUA REGIA

AQUA REGIA - The Gold Zero

AQUA REGIA is the “royal water” (nitro-hydrochloric acid) in which the gold melts down. The majorly used term “acid test” is originated from this.

I have tossed with the idea of writing a blog about gold for some time. By realizing the yellow metals importance in our life, all the more got motivated to write few lines about gold.

While I am writing this post, breaking news says that a large treasure of gold coins were found in Israel’s Mediterranean coast. The Scuba Divers in an Israeli harbor sea bed had a rich haul of all in all 2000 units of gold coins dating back more than 1000 years.

World consumption of new Gold produced is about 50% in Jewelry, 40% in investments and 10% in industry.

The richest gold deposit in the ancient world was in South Africa. At present China has most gold production followed by Australia, United States, Russia and Peru in South America.

The gold is more dense than silver. Gold is a bright yellow dense, soft, malleable and ductile metal. The gold is not subject to oxidation or corrosion. The gold was used for coinage, jewelry and other arts from pre-historic times.

In the ancient days people used gold for barter exchange. The gold mines were in scarcity in the world and the yellow metal was considered precious. It was noticed that before the paper currency was invented a small measure of gold had huge purchasing power compared to other kinds of goods traded in barter exchange.

The gold bars and biscuits are kept as security for printing global currency. All the Reserve Banks in the world ensures to keep a ratio of gold as standard while printing their currency notes.

Gold has been widely used throughout the world as money for efficient indirect exchange, and to store wealth in hoards. For exchange purposes mints produced standardized gold bullion coins, bars and other units of fixed weight and purity.

The Jewelry enhances a person’s beauty and grace. The bride is never complete without the glamorous gold, platinum or fashion jewelry.

Mallu’s or “Malayalee’s” craze for gold is famous. They are fancied by gold ornaments in various kinds such as dollar knitted chain and huge and broad chains with ruby on the deities of worshiping idols. The different kinds of purity being used in jewelry making in Kerala. There are Jewelry shops in Kerala like we have Pan Shops in Mumbai. In every nook and corner there is a Jewelry shop. The Mallu’s appetite for gold is a never diminishing one.

The D’Damas gold jewelry is best in gold purity and has international standards. Gili, Nakshatra, Sangini, Viola, Lucera, Nirvana, Christy, Love, Hoop, REv.v and Asmi are some of the famous Jewelry brands in India. Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri is famous for its Diamond Jewelry, Platinum Jewelry and Indian gold jewelry. Kalyan Jewelers, Alukas Jewelers, Atlas Jewelers and Malabar Gold and Diamonds are some of the other famous Jewelry shops in India.

The historical value of gold was rooted in its medium rarity, easy handling and minting, easy smelting, non-corrodibility, distinct color, and non-reactivity to other elements.

Gold’s high malleability, ductility, resistance to corrosion and most other chemical reactions, and conductivity of electricity have led to its continued use in corrosion resistant electrical connectors in all types of computerized devices. This is Gold’s chief industrial use. Gold is also used in infrared shielding, colored glass production, and gold leafing. Certain gold salts are still used in anti-inflammatories in medicines.

The gold is most malleable of all metals; a single gram can be beaten into a sheet of one square meter or an ounce into 300 square meter.

Gold can be made into a thread and used in embroidery.

The use of gold in electronic sliding contacts is highly humid or corrosive atmospheres, and in use for contacts with high failure cost (certain computers, communications equipment, spacecraft, and jet aircraft engines) remains very common.

Gold is commonly formed into bars for use in monetary exchange.

Mackenna’s Gold is a Hollywood motion picture depicting the gold treasure hunt.

Gold has been used as a symbol of purity, value, royalty and particularly the roles that combine these properties.

However, the blatant craze for the yellow metal has been down played by Sir Thomas More in his treatise “Utopia” written in 1516. Gold as a sign of wealth and prestige has been ridiculed by him in his work “Utopia”. Utopia the imaginary island had the possession of gold in abundance that it is used to make chain for slaves, tableware and lavatory seats. When ambassadors from other countries arrive, dressed in ostentatious gold jewels and badges, the Utopians mistakes them for menial servants, paying homage instead to the most modestly dressed of their party. An incidence of Gold zero.

Swarovski - the crystal world

The Swarovski was founded in 1895 in Austria. Swarovski designs, creates and market high quality crystal product collection such as jewelry, accessories, decorative items for the home and ornaments. Swarovski has a global reach and show cases its sparkling crystal products via a network of own boutiques and retail partners as well as the Swarovski Websites and Online shops.

Antique Jewelry

Many an online shop offers you great deals in Vintage and Antique jewelry from Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco periods.

The Gold Bars, Diamonds, Pearls, Sapphire and Ruby are considered precious. Ruby and Sapphire are most sought after in precious jewelry.

For a country that associates art mostly with canvases, sculptures and installations, an exhibition showcasing 5000 years of antique jewelry can be a novel experience. Some of the antique jewelry in the Alamkara Art Gallery in Delhi’s National Museum pertains to Indus Valley Civilization.

Fashion Jewelry

Jewels on I-phone, shoes, ring, eyebrow, vanity bag, belt, wrist bands, watch, accessories other than conventional jewelry on your neck is a trend of new fashion jewelry. Shop Claire’s collection of trendy Fashion Jewelry, cute girl jewelry and cool teen jewelry, necklaces, ear rings, bracelets and rings. You can shop online for Gitanjali and Tara brands of Jewelry.