Question

Why do we use gold and silver for making jewellery?

Answer 1

Hint: As we know that precious metals are those substances which are very rare and naturally occurring metallic chemical elements of high economic value. Chemically these metals are less reactive than most substances. They are generally ductile and have a high metallic lustre.

Complete answer:
Let us first discuss about precious metals as follows:-
-Precious metals: These are very rare and naturally occurring metallic chemical elements of high economic value and are less reactive than most substances. They are generally ductile and have a high metallic lustre. Few examples of precious metals are: Platinum, gold, silver, etc.
-Both gold and silver are lustrous metals and are rarely found in nature as compared to other elements. Both of them are of economic importance. These are used for making jewelleries as metals used in them are always chosen on the basis of their reactivity.
-The metal should be unreactive so that it does not tarnish even on wearing the ornaments on a daily basis. Many metals like gold and silver used for jewellery are usually very expensive because they are rare.
-Gold and silver are used for making jewelleries due to the following reasons:-
These metals are highly lustrous metals and are also resistant to corrosion.
These metals are highly malleable and ductile due to which they can be easily transformed into any shape or design as desired.

Note:
-Remember that gold is more preferred than silver for making jewelleries because it does not get readily oxidized by oxygen or other nonmetals and hence they do not tarnish whereas silver gets tarnished with time and other chemical substances.