Gold Plated

Gold Plated

Gold Plated Business Banking

I always remember as a child, admiring my mother's wedding ring. There are all types available now, but at the time it was quite unusual. With its angular design and Diamond Cut patterning with inset diamonds she was as proud of it today as the day she got married.

I always enjoyed the stories of her great uncle, a Jewish jeweller in London, who designed this ring specifically for her. She would tell me about how she would sit and watch him work when she was a child, unable to take her eyes off his gold tooth. He was always cheerful and smiling and proud of his work which was made it so special when he presented her with the wedding ring design years later.

Jews are well known for their trade as jewellers and also for their ownership of gold. Their money making abilities are sometimes unfairly looked down upon. Even until recent times, Jews were pushed out of so many professions by prejudice that they were forced to take the jobs no one else wanted, such as tax and rent collecting and money lending.

Obviously, passing these professions down to predecessors has given them the time to become experts at what they do. This makes them popular with today's banks and business banking is not a problem for them.

Banks should be the safest of houses and many people have put their faith in safe deposit boxes. These are supposed to be the securest of places for valuable but have had some scorn cast on them in recent years for their dubious banking practices.

It was claimed that, even after it came to light that gold deposits were being made that had been stolen from Holocaust victims, they still continued to accept it.

This was brought to light after a bank security guarded risked death threats to prevent the destruction of Holocaust era records and brought their existence to public attention.

Despite this being a secure system of banking, it is certainly not above the law. In 2000, a US judge approved a $1.85 billion settlement between several Swiss banks and the families of Holocaust victims.

Banking systems have been around since before the dawn of money when people deposited whatever was considered a precious commodity at the time - including grain. However, the biggest asset then, as well as now, is gold bullion.

All the gold that has ever been mined is still in existence today. Value varies very little from year to year. The United States has 16% of all its assets in gold with Chinas reserves being a mere 1%. However, they have expressed interest in increasing their reserve and it is hoped this will push up the price of gold.

The Washington Agreement on Gold limits its member countries to selling less than 400 tonnes of gold per year. This helps to keep the price of gold, and the whole structure of the banking system relatively stable.

In times of inflation, gold has always been seen as a safe commodity as it does not rely on the currency values of any country.

Every year 3000 tonnes of gold goes into jewellery or dental production and around 500 tonnes is now used in automotive electronics on parts such as ignition controls and electronic fuel injection. Gold is a popular choice for electronics as it does not change compositions like other metals after long periods of inactivity.

So, gold is still very much an important commodity but unlike days gone by, is difficult to use in
every-day banking. Business banking still involves cheques and cash but most of it is unseen, using electronic money exchanges and so, back to the gold used in banking but in the electronics.

About the Author

Expert financier Shaun Parker looks into business banking the effect gold bullion has on it. To find out more please visit http://www.lloydstsbbusiness.com/accounts/index.asp /

How to care for gold plated jewellery?

All gold plated goods I have owned have not lasted long and tarnished very quickly.

I have just received a very nice piece that is gold plated - does anyone have any hints as to how I can prolong it's lifespan?

first - make sure you put your jewelry on AFTER all aprays/perfumes. If you are wearing a ring/bracelet make sure you take them off to wash your hands and put on lotion(make sure it is fully absorbed before puting jewelry back on). Clean your jewelry with warm, soapy water. Never use jewelry cleaners on Plated Jewelry - it will tarnish faster.

14k Gold-plated Open-weave Band Ring $21.99 Open-weave band ringBrass jewelryClick here for ring sizing guide

Citizen Women's 'Eco-Drive' Stainless and Yellow Goldplated Steel Quartz Watch $108.99 The Citizen wristwatch from the Eco-Drive collection stores energy gathered by exposure to any light source. A stainless and yellow goldplated steel case and bracelet complete the look of this women's dress watch.

Citizen Women's 'Eco-Drive' Yellow Goldplated Stainless Steel Quartz Watch $116.99 The Citizen wristwatch from the Eco-Drive collection stores energy gathered by exposure to any light source. A yellow goldplated stainless steel case and bracelet complete the look of this women's dress watch.

22k Yellow Goldplated Blue Chalcedony Dangle Earrings (28ct TGW) $34.99 These graceful dangle earrings are made with pear-cut double checkerboard blue chalcedony gemstones set in brass metal. The beautiful 22-karat yellow goldplated earrings are secured with shepherd's hook findings and glimmer with highly polished accents.

Citizen Women's 'Eco-Drive' Stainless and Yellow Goldplated Steel Quartz Watch $109 The Citizen wristwatch from the Eco-Drive collection stores energy gathered by exposure to any light source. A stainless and yellow goldplated steel case and bracelet complete the look of this women's dress watch.

Invicta Men's Subaqua 18k Goldplated Chronograph Watch $399.99 Invicta watch makes a bold statement with its intricate detail and designMen's watch personifies a gallant structure with a polished and brushed 18-karat goldplated stainless steel caseWatch has a brown double-layered dial

Citizen Women's 'Eco-Drive' Stainless and Yellow Goldplated Steel Quartz Watch $111.99 The Citizen wristwatch from the Eco-Drive collection stores energy gathered by exposure to any light source. A stainless and yellow goldplated steel case and bracelet complete the look of this women's casual watch.

Goldplated and Tungsten Carbide Bevel Edge Band $33.49 Bevel edge 8-mm bandGoldplated and tungsten jewelryClick here for ring sizing guide

Citizen Women's 'Eco-Drive' Stainless and Yellow Goldplated Steel Quartz Watch $109 The Citizen wristwatch from the Eco-Drive collection stores energy gathered by exposure to any light source. A stainless and yellow goldplated steel case and bracelet complete the look of this women's casual watch.

ESQ by Movado Men's 'Quest' Rose Goldplated Stainless Steel and Leather Quartz Watch $249 The ESQ by Movado wristwatch from the Quest collection is constructed of rose goldplated stainless steel and brown leather. This men's casual watch displays date and chronograph functions.

Bulova Women's Goldplated Steel Diamond Bangle Watch $101.05 Sparkling diamonds add a subtle sense of style to the watchDefined by fantastic femininity, Bulova women's watch raises the barDon't leave home without the dressy design of a goldplated wristwatch

Toscana Collection 14k Goldplated Hammered Band $17.99 Hammered-style wide band14-karat yellow gold overlay jewelry Click here for ring sizing guide

Bulova Women's 'Diamonds' Steel And Yellow Goldplated Quartz Watch $151.04 The Bulova wristwatch from the Diamonds collection is all about elegance. This women's dress watch showcases a two-tone steel bracelet.

ESQ by Movado Women's 'Folio' Yellow Goldplated Stainless Steel and Leather Quartz Watch $66.04 The ESQ by Movado Folio wristwatch features a white dial with the date display. A yellow goldplated stainless steel case and brown leather strap complete the look of this women's casual watch.

Gold Plated Tungsten Carbide Cross Wedding Band (8mm) $38.99 Click here for ring sizing guide This ring CANNOT be resized Comfort-fit tungsten band

Stuhrling Women's 'Lady Marina' 16K Rose Goldplated Watch $111.99 This stunning women's Stuhrling watch features a unique white enamel and Swarovski crystal inlaid bezel. An embossed wave design on the dial and a cubic zirconia accented crown add further detail to this timepiece.

Goldplated Titanium Two-tone Band $35.99 Click here for Ring Sizing ChartBand features a satin finishTwo-tone goldplated titanium jewelry

ESQ by Movado Men's 'Quest' Goldplated Steel Quartz Chronograph Watch $332.99 The ESQ by Movado wristwatch from the Quest collection features a chronograph and date function. This men's dress watch is constructed of yellow goldplated stainless steel.

Bulova Women's 'Crystal' Yellow Goldplated Stainless Steel Quartz Watch $119.35 The Bulova wristwatch from the Crystal collection features goldplated stainless steel construction. Swarovski crystals sparkle on this women's dress watch.

Wittnauer Men's Laureate Goldplated Quartz Watch $191.05 Defined by stand-out style, this Laureate watch by Wittnauer is a must-haveMen's timepiece features a black dial with diamond hour markersSmall, handsome wristwatch has goldtone Dauphine hour and minute hands

Goldplated Tungsten Carbide Concave Dragon Celtic Ring (8 mm) $41.1 Click here for Ring Sizing Chart.This ring cannot be resizedComfort-fit tungsten band

Bulova Women's 'Bangle' Stainless and Yellow Goldplated Steel Quartz Watch $84.55 The Bulova wristwatch from the Bangle collection has a two-tone stainless steel case and bracelet. This women's casual watch features a white dial with goldtone accents.

ESQ by Movado Men's 'Filmore' Yellow Goldplated Stainless Steel and Leather Quartz Watch $166.04 The ESQ by Movado Filmore wristwatch features a silver dial with the date display. A yellow goldplated stainless steel case and brown leather strap complete the look of this men's casual watch.

18k Two-tone Goldplated Filigree Butterfly Drop Earrings $16.99 Delicate butterfly designs with filigree design wings dangle from each of these fine earrings. The earrings are crafted of 18-karat two-tone gold plating over brass and secure with leverback clasps.

Neno Buscotti 14k Goldplated FW Pearl and Crystal Charm Bracelet $39.99 This fine bracelet from Neno Buscotti features glistening white freshwater pearls set amidst multiple charms with sparkling clear cubic zirconia accents. The charm bracelet is crafted of 14-karat yellow gold overlay and secures with a toggle clasp.

Gold-plated Retirement $14.89 Gold-plated Retirement

GOLD-PLATED F-59 CONNECTOR $4.99 Gold-plated F-59 connector. 2 per pack.

GOLD-PLATED F-56 CONNECTOR $4.99 Gold-plated F-56 connector. 2 per pack.

Dove Gold Plated Pendant $24.99 This 14Kt gold plated pendant features a solid dove with a 18 inch gold plated cable chain.

GOLD-PLATED PHONO PLUG COUPLER $6.99 Gold-plated phono plug coupler.

3' HDMI to HDMI Gold Plated $7.99 3' HDMI to HDMI Gold Plated

Brass Pendulum Gold Plated (Chamber) $20.12 Brass Pendulum Gold Plated (Chamber)

Geoffrey Beene Gold Plated Tie Chain (RPL) $25 Gold plated tie chain.

Heather Pullis Designs Gold Plated Bangle - Gold $26.4 Heather Pullis Designs Gold Plated Bangle - Gold

GOLD-PLATED F-81 COUPLER $4.99 Gold-plated F-81 coupler. Joins two coax cables together.

Gold-Plated Banana Plugs $15.99 OEM SYSTEMS IW-16PLUG GOLD-PLATED CRIMP-ON BANANA PLUGS, 16 PK

Dune Mirror with Gold Plated Frame $1652 Dune Mirror w/ Gold Plated Frame

Heather Pullis Designs Gold Plated Hoops - Gold $31.68 Heather Pullis Designs-Gold Plated Hoop Earrings

Rare Ring, gold-plated $60 An essential piece for any jewelry box! With a slim silhouette, this delicate gold-plated ring is refined and easy to wear. Combine it with your gold-plated jewelry or wear it together with the rhodium-plated Rare ring for a trendy stacked look. Dimensions: Size 58 in x in

Deluxe Brooch, gold-plated $100 Gold-plated brooch with bow design set in Light Colorado Topaz crystal pavé. Dimensions: cm x cm