Egypt was a country rich in natural gold, taking advantage of the fruitfulness of neighbouring Nubia, which was rich of the natural element. Egyptian gold, in its pure form, contained silver and the varying colours of Egyptian gold represents the amount of silver also found. Originally only the pharaohs were in possession of the precious metal however it became popular and circulated amongst nobles and the higher class. Pharaohs would send expeditions out to retrieve the metal in which it would then be passed on to Egyptian goldsmiths. The gold was melted down using charcoal and blow pipes and then poured into the desired moulds. Alternatively, the gold was hammered down to thin sheets and used where appropriate to decorate.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.
