Just Ask Leslie: Jewelry Tips

Dear Leslie,
I noticed your post on Olympic-themed jewelry, and it got me thinking. What exactly is the significance of these metals? What do gold, silver and bronze really signify?
Charlie in Tennessee

Gold has been considered a precious metal since ancient times. The ancient Egyptians considered gold to have metaphysical and healing powers, and it was valued not just as jewelry but as a health tonic as well. Gold was known to have healing powers in other ancient cultures, many believed that ingesting gold stimulated the life force and raised a person’s vibration and energy levels. Although few people use gold medicinally today, it is still one of the world’s most precious metals, partially due to its scarcity, which increases its value.

While it is the high value of gold that makes it the number-one medal in the Olympic games, it has other interesting properties that make it appropriate as well. Although gold is heavy it is also both malleable and ductile, so that it can be stretched into wires (as seen in necklaces, bracelets etc.), the same way that the top athletes are both strong and able to be flexible and move with the flow.

Gold comes in a variety of colors, as is evidenced by this tri-color gold wedding band which features yellow, pink and white gold interlocking bands. Although when choosing jewelry there are many colors of gold to choose from, in the Olympics, the medal remains yellow gold, to the best of my knowledge.

Silver, the second-place medal, also has a long history. Since ancient times, silver has been closely associated with the moon and lunar influences. Whereas gold is considered hot and passionate, silver is a considered cool and collected. In ancient times, silver was one of seven sacred metals and was associated with the third-eye, said to symbolize reflection and contemplation. Silver is also associated with flexibility, a good trait for an athlete. Although in today’s times, silver is not considered as precious as gold, there are many who prefer its understated beauty, which is on display in this breathtaking open-work silver bangle.

Bronze, the third place medal, is actually a combination of metals, most often 60% copper and 40% tin. First used in the Bronze Age, this metal alloy was used for making tools, weapons and armor, as it proved to be harder than copper and more durable than stone. Bronze is strong and does not rust, a good symbol for an athlete who did well but is willing to try again. In addition, bronze can be worked easily, making it the metal of choice for many artists and sculptors. The sculpture below is the work of Antoine Louis Barye, on display at the Bronze Gallery