One of the most unique characteristics about gold is that it generally doesn't combine with other metals or materials - it is almost always pure, even in its most natural state. It's malleable - meaning that instead of being crushed by a hammer, it simply changes shape and it conducts electricity exceedingly well. Gold also has an excellent reputation for being extremely resistant to pitting, oxidizing and wear and tear which is partly what makes it such a valuable material for jewelry such as necklaces and rings. Gold can be used to manufacture a number of things, as it has the special ability to be stretched and hammered very thin. Gold that is thinner than 1/10 of a sheet of paper is often used for gold dental work, glass making and more.

We've all heard of gold being referred to in units of measurement called carats. The purest form of gold is 24 carats; however, while this type of gold tends to be rare and beautiful, it also tends to be very soft and prone to damage. It can easily be nicked, scratched or cracked and therefore does not make for very durable rings or other types of jewelry. Gold can be made stronger and more resilient by combining it with other, stronger metals. Silver and platinum make wonderful pieces of jewelry when alloyed with gold, and nickel and copper can be used to create gold that will be used for manufacturing purposes. When look at a piece of gold that is not 24 carats - it is instead 18 carats or 10 carats - you are looking at the ratio of pure gold to other metals such as silver or copper. A 10 carat gold ring has 10 parts absolutely pure and flawless gold in it while the remaining 14 carats are comprised of other types of metal. Naturally, the lower the carat in a piece of jewelry or other gold item, the more durable it is going to be.

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