Where Does Gold Come From? Neutron Star Collisions and the Metal on Your Wrist

The gold in your jewelry was not made on Earth, and not in an ordinary star. Astronomers now link most of the universe's gold to some of the most violent events in space: collisions between neutron stars. That metal drifted through the galaxy for billions of years before it became part of our planet, and, eventually, part of a bracelet on a wrist in Miami.

Why can't ordinary stars make gold?

Stars build elements by fusion, pressing lighter nuclei together into heavier ones. That process releases energy up to iron. Making anything heavier than iron costs energy instead, so stars need a different route. Gold, with 79 protons in its nucleus, is far beyond iron. It needs a sudden flood of neutrons, captured faster than the nucleus can decay, a process physicists call rapid neutron capture.

What happened in 2017?

On August 17, 2017, the LIGO and Virgo observatories detected gravitational waves from two neutron stars spiralling into each other, an event named GW170817. Telescopes around the world then saw the glow of the explosion, called a kilonova, and its light carried the signature of freshly made heavy elements. It was the first direct evidence that neutron star mergers forge heavy metals like gold and platinum.

I find it beautiful that we first heard this event as a wave. Gravitational waves are ripples in spacetime, and waves are where my Wavy collection began.

Why does gold last forever?

Gold is one of the least reactive metals. It does not rust or tarnish in air or water, which is why gold objects thousands of years old still shine when they are found. It is also extremely dense, about 19.3 grams per cubic centimetre, and soft enough to be hammered thinner than a sheet of paper.

That softness is why pure 24 karat gold is rarely used for fine jewelry. Jewelers mix it with other metals to make it stronger:

• 18K gold is 75% pure gold, rich in color and ideal for fine pieces.
• 14K gold is about 58.5% gold, a little harder and paler.

For more on choosing between them, read 14K vs 18K gold.

What about recycled gold?

Because gold almost never wears out, nearly all the gold ever mined still exists. Recycled gold is refined back to pure gold and re alloyed, chemically identical to newly mined metal. Most of the Wavy collection is made in 18K recycled gold, including the Wavy Diamond Bracelet, a gold wave that rises and falls around the wrist, and the Wavy Heart Diamond Ring. Gold made in a stellar collision, recycled on Earth, and shaped by hand: that is a long journey for one bracelet.

Margaret Krinetz Fine Jewelry, handmade in Tel Aviv and shipped to Miami and worldwide, makes every piece to order. Read more in What is recycled gold?

Frequently asked questions

Is all gold from neutron star collisions?

Neutron star mergers are considered a major source. Scientists are still studying whether other rare explosions contribute too.

Does 18K gold tarnish?

Solid 18K gold does not rust and is highly resistant to tarnish. A gentle clean keeps it bright.

How long does delivery to Miami take?

Every piece is made to order in 4 to 6 weeks and ships with DHL Express in 3 to 5 business days. Shipping is free on orders over $1,500.

Next time the sun hits your bracelet on Ocean Drive, remember where that light is bouncing off. Feel the freedom of being alive.