Top 10 Enemies of Gold Jewelry: #5

Mercury.

Not the planet, but the Element. Also referred to as Quicksilver, Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.

While not used in many things most people handle on a regular basis, mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, float valves, some electrical switches and other scientific apparatus as well as fluorescent bulbs.

So, even though the likelihood of mercury to gold contact is slim, if it does happen, you are in for some unpleasantness because of another unique property which mercury posesses.

When mercury comes into contact with gold, or most other metals, it actually dissolves to form an amalgam with it. This means that the 2 metals are now bonded into a new substance can cannot be separated (except by toxic means)!!

Mercury amalgams are actually useful or desireable- when made on purpose, such as dental fillings or the reflective coating on mirrors. However, when mixed with gold, it discolors your jewelry in an undesireable way.

The worst part is that the only way to separate the 2 is to heat the piece until the mercury vaporizes. In fact, this very process was used in 17th century France to create gold plated objects- just add mercury to gold and use it to coat an object, then heat it until the mercury is depleted thus leaving only a thin layer of gold behind! This process was, however, banned by the end of the 19th century because of the (obvious) harmful effects such as blindness!!

Some metals do not form amalgams with mercury, such as iron and platinum, but really- the best policy is don't play with mercury, and if for some odd reason you must- don't wear your jewelry!!