![]() 2)Įlectrum is believed to have been used in coins circa 600 BC in Lydia under the reign of Alyattes II.Įlectrum was much better for coinage than gold, mostly because it was harder and more durable, but also because techniques for refining gold were not widespread at the time. In all three instances it is used to describe a type of glow seen by the prophet Ezekiel in visions (Ezekiel Ch.1 Vs.4 and 27 Ch. The modern use of the term white gold usually concerns gold, silver and palladium alloys.Įlectrum is mentioned in an expedition sent by Pharaoh Sahure of the Fifth dynasty of Egypt (see Sahure).Įlectrum is referred to three times in the Bible. The same word was also used for the substance amber, probably because of the pale yellow color of certain varieties, and it is from the electrostatic properties of amber that the modern English words "electron" and "electricity" derive.Įlectrum was often referred to as white gold in ancient times but could be more accurately described as "pale gold". The color of electrum is pale yellow or yellowish-white and the name is a Latinized form of the Greek word ηλεκτρον ( elektron) mentioned in the Odyssey meaning a metallic substance consisting of gold alloyed with silver. In later coinage from these areas, dating to 326 BC, the gold composition averaged 40% to 41%. In the early classical period, the gold composition of electrum ranged from 46% in Phokaia to 43% in Mytilene. As a result, electrum is usually a good conductor of electricity.Īnalysis of the electrum composition in ancient Greek coinage dating from 600 BC showed that the gold composition was 55.5% in archaic Phocaea. Gold content of naturally-occurring electrum in modern Western Anatolia ranges from 70% to 90% in contrast to the 45-55% of electrum used in ancient Lydian coinage of the same geographical area.Įlectrum was used as early as the third millennium BC in Old Kingdom Egypt, sometimes as an exterior coating to the pyramidions atop ancient Egyptian pyramids and obelisks.Įlectrum was also used in the making of ancient drinking vessels and coins.Įlectrum consists primarily of gold and silver but is sometimes found with traces of copper and other metals. Colour ranges from pale to bright yellow, depending on the proportions of gold and silver. Better weighing performance in 6 easy stepsĮlectrum is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, with trace amounts of copper and other metals.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |