Since the time of the pharaohs, the electrum was already known. It was one of the most used and appreciated alloys by this ancient civilization. In Egypt it could be found in the alluvial deposits of gold, and its color is from light yellow to white; this metal is a fusion of gold and silver with traces of copper and other metals that can be found in nature; and although its color is very similar to gold, its value is less expensive.
Pliny also states: “If the alloy had less than 20% silver, it was called gold; however, if the content was superior, it was considered electrum”.
In Egypt the gold had impurities of silver, reason why the Egyptians called him electrum; likewise silver contained traces of gold, and was called white gold; jewelry in this material was rare and quite expensive.
The Egyptians had a great affinity for jewelry, and the combination of gold and silver had a deep meaning for them; because in their culture, the jewels had a religious and mystical symbology.
In this way, the Egyptians stood out in the manufacture of jewelry with different metals, above all, with gold and silver, and introduced in jewelry a great renovation in alloys with these materialswhile using a wide variety of precious and semi-precious stones such as turquoise, quartz, lapis lazuli, jasper and carnelian.
On the other hand, gold represented the hierarchy of metals before silver; however, silver in Egypt was commonly mixed with gold, and it was very common to make amulets to protect them against evil, as well as embody and worship their gods. The kings covered themselves with beautiful jewels of gold, electrum, ivory, and precious stones; these claimed that their jewels were more important than those of their predecessors.
The Egyptian civilization was one of the ones that made the most use of the fusion of these precious metals. They leaned towards gold because of its sacred nature by offering sacrifices and offerings to the gods; Thanks to its incorruptible material and beautiful brilliance, they associated it with the illumination of the sun, and with immortality. In the same way it happened with silver, they linked it with the moon and the stars; therefore, the electrum had a significant relevance in the Egyptian culture; since the symbolic aspects of silver were just as important as those of gold.
Although gold and silver are the precious metals par excellence, and are used as objects of beauty and specific style, the electrum in Egyptian jewelry was masterfully worked by the best goldsmiths, which today arouses special interest, and a great admiration thanks to the excellent alloy of these splendid and immortal metals, adored by the Egyptian civilization.