The History + Symbolism of Precious Metals
There are many ways we find meaning in our lives. For some, symbolic representation of their core beliefs is essential to living a happy and balanced life. You might already be familiar with the meaning behind some of the world’s most popular symbols, like the evil eye or the sun, but have you ever considered the symbolism of metals like gold and silver?
At ALEX AND ANI, we want to provide you with another avenue for self-expression and even more knowledge about the jewelry you wear! Check out our overview of the meaning and history of precious metals today.
Gold
Gold was first discovered over 5,000 years ago, and many cultures used it as jewelry and decoration. It was first used as currency around 550 B.C. in what is now modern-day Turkey. Gold is so special because it’s a conductive metal that many believe to be an energy amplifier. Ancient cultures believed it could cure epilepsy, dyslexia, and even autism. This metal is also considered unique because it’s chemically inert, so wearing it could symbolize strength in the face of negativity, fatigue, and spiritual corrosion.
In New Age spiritualism, the symbolism of gold metal is most often associated with assertiveness and masculinity with an elemental connection to fire. 
Yellow Gold
If you wear yellow gold, you want to harness the warmth of the sun, practice self-awareness, and control a fiery nature in order to use it to realize your dreams.
White Gold
White gold is meant to blend masculine and feminine energies, like those in the sun and moon, channeling both equally and balancing your nature.
Rose Gold
The symbolism of rose gold metal is all about enhancing your spirituality, pushing the boundaries of convention, and conducting in-depth self-exploration.
Silver
The first signs of silver mining were found to date back to about 3,000 B.C. in the regions around Greece and Turkey. Unlike gold, silver needed to be refined to be useful, so ancient people developed more advanced blacksmithing techniques to do so. The history of metals tells us that silver ingots became popular as currency more than 4,000 years ago in Athens.
While it’s a beautiful metal, there is also a lot of meaning associated with silver. Many cultures believe that it symbolizes compassion, empathy, and other feminine attributes. They also think that it can help channel the positive energy of other minerals, such as gemstones, into the body.
Symbolism of Metal at ALEX AND ANI
At ALEX AND ANI, we care about what's in our jewelry just as much as we care what what's NOT in our jewelry. We use recycled materials when crafting our products. Our metals are carefully crafted with safe materials and eco-friendly fabrications, passing our high level of testing. Explore our new arrivals and decide whether you want to build more meaning behind your jewelry with a gold or silver finish!
