From Mine to Masterpiece: The Journey of Australian Gold
This article was informed by research from Geoscience Australia, a trusted source for Australian mineral and energy facts.
Gold is among Earth’s rarest natural elements — making up only a tiny fraction of the planet’s outer crust (about 3 parts per billion, according to Geoscience Australia). To visualise that, imagine a billion tiny beads... and only three of them are gold. It’s this scarcity, combined with its lustre and resistance to tarnish, that has made gold a symbol of wealth, power and love for many years.
When discovered in nature, gold is often already in a pure state, either in fine particles known as gold dust or in larger fragments called nuggets. The weight of gold is traditionally measured in troy ounces, with one troy ounce equalling 31.1 grams.
Image source: Australian Mining
Although pure gold is rarely used as it is too soft, gold is often mixed (alloyed) with other metals. The term 'carat' is used to describe the purity of gold and is based on a total of 24 parts. Pure gold (100% gold and nothing else) is known as 24 carat. In 18 carat gold, for example, 18 of the 24 parts are gold and the remaining 6 parts are another metal, such as silver or copper. White gold is an alloy of gold with silver, palladium, platinum and copper. Yellow, green and red golds are produced by alloying gold with copper and silver in different proportions.
Have you ever paused to admire the gold in your favourite necklace or ring and wondered where its journey began? Before it sits in your jewellery box, gold embarks on quite an extraordinary transformation.
Gold mining in Australia
Australia remains one of the world's leading gold producers, with around 60% of its resources located in Western Australia. Major mines like Kalgoorlie’s Super Pit, Granny Smith, St Ives, and Mount Magnet are iconic sites of gold production.
Kalgoorlie super pit gold mine in Western Australia
Image source: Northern Star Resources
Most of Australia’s gold comes from open-cut mines, where massive earth-moving equipment strips away waste rock before blasting ore for transport. In cases where ore lies deep below the surface, underground mining is used. Tunnels and shafts provide access for equipment and workers and allow for ore and waste rock to be brought to the surface.
Once extracted, ore is crushed to a fine powder and processed to separate gold. Coarse gold may be removed using gravity concentration, mixing with water so the heavier gold sinks while lighter materials wash away. Finer gold requires more specialised techniques depending on ore type.
Free-milling ore can be treated using cyanidation, a process involving diluted cyanide solution to dissolve the gold. Refractory ores, where gold is trapped in sulphides, demand additional steps such as roasting or biological leaching to release the metal.
How gold jewellery is created
After gold is meticulously extracted from the earth through mining, it generally undergoes an important process of being alloyed with other metals such as copper, silver, or palladium to enhance its strength, durability, and alter its colour, resulting in different carats (as noted earlier). These specific gold alloys are then sold to specialised jewellery manufacturing houses. Within these houses, skilled artisans and advanced machinery transform the alloyed gold into exquisite pieces of jewellery through various techniques such as casting, stamping, forming, and polishing, ultimately creating the precious pieces that are available for purchase in our store. Similarly, in our in-house workshop, we purchase alloyed gold in various forms and carats from our trusted Australian suppliers for use in our repair and restoration work and custom-made pieces.
Using your own gold
At Jade Jewellers, we create bespoke designs in gold and sell a stunning range of unique gold jewellery. But did you know that we also buy and trade gold? The gold jewellery sitting unused, unworn or broken in your jewellery drawer is actually filled with endless possibilities! With us, you can trade your old gold for cash or use it to offset the cost of a repair or purchase. What’s more, if your gold is particularly sentimental, we can melt it down and use it to handcraft a completely new bespoke piece that will be loved and adored for generations.
A legacy of craftsmanship
At Jade Jewellers, each creation is a celebration of this remarkable journey. From raw mineral to radiant masterpiece, our pieces honour generations of craftsmanship, sustainability, and elegance. Every detail is shaped with intention, ensuring your jewellery not only tells a story of origin but one of enduring beauty.
Visit us in-store or explore our national online boutique to discover pieces that carry the brilliance of Australian gold.