Throughout ancient times, gold has been prized for its beauty and value. Gold jewellery may be traced back to the early civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia when pharaohs and monarchs wore it. The method of alloying gold with other metals evolved over time, resulting in the development of different karats. For example, 375 gold was created in the 19th century in the United Kingdom when a new legislation required gold jewellery to be stamped with the purity of the metal.