Gold jewellery 'remains as popular as ever'

The allure of gold jewellery spans thousands of years and it remains a popular fashion choice with the sophisticated women of the 21st century, it has been claimed.

Writing in Fast Company, blogger Fitch Fitch said the use of gold jewellery dates back to ancient Egypt, where the precious metal was highly-prized because it was easy to work with and never tarnished.

Bracelets, pendants, necklaces, rings, earrings, armlets, collars and headware fashioned from gold are among some of the "magnificent" pieces that survive from the time of the pharaohs, the writer noted.

The Romans, who used 18-c and 24-c gold to strike coins, were among the first to incorporate precious stones such as sapphires and emeralds into gold jewellery over 2,000 years ago.

Italy would go on to arguably become Europe's most important jewellery centre and according to Reuters, it remains the world's largest exporter of fine jewellery pieces.

Gold designs incorporating precious stones have also remained popular and their production has spread. In the 21st century, pieces featuring crystals set in gold such as those produced by Austria's Swarovski are among the most sought-after items in the luxury market, the site said.