Wales is known for its dramatic scenery–steeped in mystery and romance. It is covered in majestic heather-clad hills cut by cascading waterfalls and mountain streams that rush through gladed valleys.
Yet, beneath the quartzite exterior, there is another treasure–as valuable as it is beautiful. Perhaps you have heard that there is gold in them thar (Welsh) hills, but did you know that Welsh gold has decorated the finger of every royal bride dating back to the Queen Mother’s wedding in 1923? What is it about Welsh gold that makes it the top choice for Britain’s monarchy?
Why is Welsh Gold so Prized?
As is the case with any precious metal, it boils down to scarcity. Welsh gold is considered to be the rarest in the world. The final commercial goldmine in Wales has long since closed, and the company has scraped out and extended the remaining supplies by mixing its gold with other gold bullion ever since. However, the royal wedding rings are pure–the most recent are likely made from a 1kg chunk of Welsh gold that was presented to the Queen in 1999 by the Clogau mine.
Welsh gold is frequently regarded as having a rosier, deeper color than other gold. This is because of the traces of copper in the mine ore. However, if separated from the copper traces, the pure gold would gleam the same yellow as gold from any other source.
The History of Welsh Gold
Welsh gold adornments date all the way back to the Bronze age. For some serious bling, check out the 3,000-year-old ‘Mold Cape’ (now kept in the British Museum.) It is an intricately manufactured cape made from a single 560g ingot of Welsh gold. The Romans also participated in gold mining during their occupation of South Wales–leaving behind many pieces of gold jewelry and coins in their wake.
During the industrial revolution, two major seams of gold were discovered: one in the North of the country and one in the South. At its height, the gold industry in Wales was producing roughly 20,000 ounces of gold per year–counting only what was officially recorded.
Welsh Gold Today
Today, mining has ceased due to an exhaustion of resources–although, tourists are still able to pan for gold at the defunct mines. Now that Welsh gold is no longer being mined, making it possibly the rarest gold in the world. It has become incredibly expensive and gold from the famous mines can attract prices that are higher than the value of standard gold. So, is Welsh gold dying out forever? Maybe not. In recent years, there have been promising discoveries of gold deposits in stretches as long as 9km.
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At Gold Guys, we are dedicated to helping you get the most for your gold items–no matter the condition or gold content. We purchase gold in every karat–typically varying from 8 karat to 24 karat, helping our customers turn old and unwanted items into cash in a way that’s quick and simple.
We utilize our unmatched industry knowledge to help our customers know what their pieces are worth and, if desired, assist them in selling them for a great price, smoothly and successfully. We’re proud of our A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, speaking to the level of service we provide to each and every customer.
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