(Mike Maharrey, Money Metals News Service) Need a gift that stands the test of time?
Get gold!
Gold stud earrings are always a good choice. They are beautiful, classic, and will last, well, forever! Or at least a really long time.
How long have people been getting gold earrings as gifts?
At least 1,700 years!
At a site in Bulgaria, archaeologists unearthed a child’s grave. Among the bones, they discovered “stunningly preserved” gold earrings. They also found a small bronze coin. (We’ll get to that in a moment.)
As you can see from the photo, the earrings look like they just came out of a display case at Kay Jewelers. This is a testament to gold’s durability.
The grave is in an ancient Roman cemetery containing approximately 135 graves. Archaeologists said it dates to around 275 CE.
Rome annexed the area near the Black Sea in 46 CE and renamed the city of Stara Zagora as Ulpia Augusta Traiana in honor of Emperor Trajan. The city became so prosperous that Rome later granted it permission to build its own mint.
While you probably consider 1,700-year-old earrings ancient, they’re practically brand new compared to the oldest gold jewelry.
In the early 1970s, archaeologists discovered gold necklaces, bracelets, rings, and pendants in a Copper Age (Chalcolithic) cemetery. The jewelry was also located in Bulgaria near the Black Sea. The gold dates to 4,600-4,300 BC. That’s about 6,500 years old!
Talk about a gift that lasts!
It just goes to show that gold’s beauty has captivated humanity from the start.
Today, jewelry accounts for about one-third of total gold demand. In 2025, jewelry demand came in at 1,542 tonnes.
Of course, gold is also money, for some of the same reasons people value the metal for jewelry. It is durable, malleable, and it doesn’t decay, corrode, or degrade. Gold is gold – forever.
Speaking of money, I mentioned there was a coin in the grave.
It was not gold, and it wasn’t nearly as well-preserved as the earrings.
The coin was minted in bronze and was likely intended to pay for passage to the afterlife. Given that the coin was bronze, I’m assuming the trip was relatively inexpensive back then.
In Roman mythology, a deceased person had to pay Charon, the ferryman, to bring their soul to the afterlife. Families often placed coins in graves so the dearly departed would have money to pay the fare.
Now, I’m just going to throw this out there – I think I’d rather have a gold coin. I’m sure Charon was fine with a bronze coin. But what if he was on vacation? I’m not convinced everyone would accept bronze as payment. However, I’m almost certain anyone would take gold.
The same is true today. Gold is money, and it’s recognized around the world. From skyscrapers in Manhattan to tents in the Sahara, people value gold.
And of course, gold is beautiful. That’s why people have been adorning their bodies with it for more than 6,000 years.
I’m pretty certain your loved one would be thrilled to get some gold this holiday season. Something to consider as you plan your holiday gift-giving!
Photo credit: Regional History Museum – Stara Zagora
Mike Maharrey is a journalist and market analyst for Money Metals with over a decade of experience in precious metals. He holds a BS in accounting from the University of Kentucky and a BA in journalism from the University of South Florida.
