As we gear up for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, we’re diving into the topic we hold close to our hearts: The metal of the winning medal, Gold. This metal has long been a symbol for achievement, having been revered by ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Since the 1904 Olympic Games, gold medals have been awarded to first-place title winners, cementing gold’s association with being the best. The scarcity of this material mirrors the rare talent and dedication required to be a champion.
Fun fact: This year, each medal will feature a piece of the Eiffel Tower to commemorate the iconic monument of the games’ host city. Paris 2024 partnered with Chaumet, a distinguished LVMH Group company to bring this extraordinary design to life. To learn more about this fascinating process click here.
Although gold signifies top achievement, silver and bronze medals are still impressive and seen as testaments to the dedication and excellence of each athlete.
A Bit About Bronze & Silver:
When exploring the composition of bronze and silver medals, bronze medals are made up of a blend of copper (±95%) and zinc (±5%) while silver medals are typically made from sterling silver. This means they are 92.5% pure silver, with the remainder consisting of other metals, such as copper, to make them stronger and more robust.
When it comes to jewellery design, bronze is an affordable choice for individuals who prefer warmer, brown-gold tones. On the other hand, silver is ideal for crafting pieces that reflect their personal style due to its softness. For those looking for the elegance of silver-coloured jewellery with added strength and durability, our white gold pieces are the perfect choice allowing you to enjoy the sleek look of silver with the resilience of white gold.
Each material used for the medals is fascinating in its own regard but we’re focusing on our favourite: Gold.
GOOD AS GOLD
Many people don’t know this, but Olympic gold medals only appear to be solid gold. In reality, they’re made predominantly of silver with a delicate gilding of approximately 6g of gold. The blending of metals ensures durability and, more importantly, reflects the values of sustainability upheld by the Olympic Movement. Despite not being solid gold, gold medals remain symbolic of the highest achievement in sports.
In jewellery design, a variety of golds exist and are measured in karats. 24 karat contains 100% gold, 18KT contains 75% gold and 10KT contains 41% gold. At Uwe Koetter, we absolutely adore working with gold. Its malleability when heated, allows jewellery-makers the ability to create exquisite and bespoke designs. From delicate rings and shimmering necklaces to intricate earrings and detailed brooches, the possibilities are endless.
Gold has an indescribable lustrous sheen that screams elegance and sophistication whether in rose, white or yellow gold. It is also a popular choice for wedding bands due to how perfectly it compliments sparkly diamonds and its durability, making it suitable for everyday wear. Apart from this, gold can also be a heavily sentimental metal, since it retains its value significantly over the years and does not oxidise or corrode allowing it to be passed on from generation to generation.
GOLD STANDARD
There’s nothing that we understand more than the significance of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Much like the meticulous artistry behind Olympic medals, our jewellery embodies precision, elegance and quality. Just as athletes cherish their medals as symbols of triumph, our clients treasure our beautiful creations, tailored to their own specifications and sentiments.
We’re so excited to cheer on our athletes as they go for gold. If you’re looking for us, we’ll be sitting on the edge of our seats! GO TEAM SA!
