PAPER Topics

Start of Term Paper
On Gold What's so special about this gold stuff, anyway? I mean, it's expensive because it's rare but why do we use it in jewellery? Gold has a couple of fairly unique properties that have made it attractive to jewellers throughout history. Pri ....

Middle of Term Paper
... and can be worked into amazingly fine detail. This is highly desirable for some types of fine filigree work and also means that a ring made out of 24 K gold can be easily opened and closed without special tools and without growing brittle and/or breaking as is the case with most harder alloys. The disadvantages are clear. The price is high and in its pure form it's so soft it wears quickly from the purely mechanic rubbing of your skin and of other jewellery. The common solution, however, is not without its flaws. "Cutting" the gold with cheaper metals can mean dramatic savings in material cost and highly improved resistance to wear ...