From the beginning, gold has been a symbol of wealth and power. It has been highly valued since at the least the Bronze Age, around the 2nd millennium BC and has been used as currency and body adornment ever since. The universal beauty of gold has captivated the aesthetics of people in all parts of the world, for as long as historical records exist, and beyond.
The ancient Egyptian pharaohs and queens were famous for gold ornamentation in sacred and everyday objects. 
They believed that their deities shone with a golden light – it was considered a divine and invincible metal. Gold has even changed the course of world history several times: once by the rumors of decadent golden cities in ancient Central America and again several hundred years later when rich gold deposits were discovered in the North American west. Gold has an ancient history and a timeless allure.
Because pure gold (24k) is so soft a metal, it is usually alloyed with stronger metals to add strength for everyday wear. The standard system of carats is used world-wide to indicate the purity of the precious metal. These gorgeous new pieces by Michele Scholnick are made with 18k gold.
