If you’re considering gold for your next piece of fine jewelry or lab diamond engagement ring, you may be curious to know more about this stunning metal. While gold is an incredibly popular precious metal, many consumers don’t know much about it. Before you choose jewelry made of gold, it’s a good idea to read up on some of the top interesting facts about gold. From its origin to its properties and color, we’ve put together some of the most fascinating facts about gold.
24 Amazing Facts About Gold You Need to Know
- Gold Comes from Meteorites
Nearly all the world’s gold came from meteorites that bombarded the planet over 200 million years after it formed. Scientists have shown that the Earth’s surface became enriched with precious metals by impacting meteorites. The Earth’s crust and mantle contain gold, which was delivered during this last impact event. Gold is a relatively rare chemical element, making up only 0.0000004% of the Earth’s crust.
- Gold Is Malleable
Malleability is a measure of how easily a material can be molded into shapes. Pure gold is the most malleable element, so soft that it can even be molded by hand. A single ounce of gold can be beaten into a 300-square-foot sheet, and a sheet of gold can be made thin enough to be transparent.
- Gold Is Alloyed With Other Metals
Because pure gold is too soft to resist prolonged handling, it is usually alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness for use in jewelry, goldware, or coinage. Most gold used in jewelry is alloyed with silver, copper, and a little zinc to produce various shades of yellow gold, or with nickel, copper, and zinc to produce white gold.
- Gold Is Yellow in Its Pure Form
In its pure form, gold is the only metal that is yellow or “golden.” Other metals may develop a yellowish color, but only after they have oxidized or reacted with other chemicals. When mixed with alloys, the color of gold changes from yellow to white as the proportion of silver in them increases. More than 70 percent silver results in alloys that are white.
- Gold Is Ductile
Gold is extremely ductile, meaning it can be drawn out into wire or thread without the risk of breaking. A single ounce of gold can be stretched into a gold thread 5 miles long. These threads can then be used for products like jewelry or manufacturing needs.
- Gold Is Nontoxic
Although gold is a heavy, dense metal, it is generally considered nontoxic. Gold metal flakes may be eaten in foods or drinks, although it is a common allergen for some. To determine if you’re allergic to gold, rub a piece of gold on the palm of your hand. If a dark mark appears, you may be allergic. For those who are allergic, platinum is a great alternative.
- Gold Is Pliable
Along with being malleable, gold is also very pliable. Pliable materials can be bent or flexed, while malleable materials can be beaten or hammered into shapes. Gold is so pliable that it can be made into sewing thread—though it would be quite expensive.
- Gold Is Dense
Gold is one of the densest of all metals. It weighs 19.3 times as much as other metals, or about 160 pounds per gallon. Its weight is one of the many reasons gold has become so valuable. In its pure form, gold can be crafted into almost any shape, and it is used as a reliable conductor in many modern electrical components.
- Gold Is Rarer than Diamonds
In its elemental form, gold is significantly rarer than diamonds. A one-troy-ounce gold nugget, 31.1 grams, is rarer to find than a five-carat mined diamond. Carbon is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, and a diamond is composed almost entirely of carbon. The average concentration of gold in Earth’s crust is very low, at 4 parts per billion.
- Gold Is Used in Electronics
Gold has many uses aside from its monetary and symbolic value. It is used in electronics and electrical wiring because it does not corrode or tarnish, unlike other highly conductive metals like copper and silver. Gold is used for specific components such as connectors and wires.
- Gold Is Found All Over the World
Gold has been discovered on every continent on Earth. Alluvial gold is found as small yellow grains and flakes, or even small nuggets, on the beds of fast-flowing rivers and streams. You’re more likely to find gold deposits on the inside of bends in a river, where the water flows less quickly.
- Gold Is Odorless and Tasteless
High-purity gold is odorless and tasteless. This makes sense since gold is unreactive. Metal ions confer flavor and odor to metallic elements and compounds.
- The Symbol for Gold Is Au
The elemental symbol for gold is Au, which comes from the old Latin name for gold, aurum, meaning “shining dawn” or “glow of sunrise.” The word gold comes from the Germanic languages, meaning “yellow.”
- Gold Is Not the Most Expensive Metal
Despite being rare, gold is not the most expensive metal. The most expensive metals found on Earth are palladium and rhodium. Both metals are much more expensive than gold. However, the price of gold can fluctuate based on demand, making it a more affordable option for many.
- Oceans Contain Gold
Ocean waters contain gold. There are about 20 million tons of precious metal, worth around $771 trillion, in the oceans. There is about one gram of gold for every 100 million metric tons of ocean water in the Atlantic and North Pacific. Gold is also found on the seafloor, but it is deep and hard to mine.
- Earthquakes Can Create Gold
Along fault zones deep within Earth’s crust, small cavities filled with fluids rich in dissolved substances such as gold and silicate minerals can expand up to 130,000 times their former size during an earthquake. This process, called flash evaporation, can deposit as much as 0.1 milligrams of gold along each square meter of a fault zone’s surface in just a fraction of a second.
- Gold Is Virtually Indestructible
Gold is a noble metal and does not react easily, making it virtually indestructible. It doesn’t rust, oxidize, or even react to most acids. This is why all the gold extracted from the earth is melted, re-melted, and used over and over again. It is also why gold is considered a sustainable jewelry material.
- Gold Was Used in Ancient Civilizations
Gold has been used by humans for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, prized gold for its beauty and durability. The oldest known gold artifact, the Varna Necropolis gold, dates back to around 4,500 BCE.
- Gold Has Been Used in Medicine
Gold has been used in medicine for centuries. It is used in dental work, as it is biocompatible and does not react with bodily fluids. Gold nanoparticles are also being used in cancer treatments to deliver drugs directly to cancer cells.
- Gold Has Unique Electrical Properties
Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity and is used in many electronic devices. Its conductivity, combined with its resistance to corrosion, makes it ideal for use in smartphones, computers, and other electronic components.
- Gold Is Used in Space Exploration
Gold is used in space exploration to protect spacecraft and astronauts. It is used to coat visors and windows to reflect harmful UV radiation. Gold is also used in electrical connections and components due to its reliability in extreme conditions.
- Gold Has a Unique Sound
When gold is dropped, it makes a distinctive sound. This is why gold prospectors can often identify gold by its sound. The sound of gold hitting a surface is different from other metals due to its density and malleability.
- Gold Can Be Recycled
Gold is one of the most recyclable materials. All the gold ever mined is still in circulation, and it can be melted down and reused without losing its properties. This makes recycled gold an eco-friendly option for jewelry.
- Gold Is a Symbol of Wealth and Status
Throughout history, gold has been a symbol of wealth and status. From ancient kings to modern-day billionaires, gold has been used to display wealth and power. It continues to be a popular choice for jewelry, coinage, and investments.
Is Gold Jewelry Right for You?
When looking to purchase a gold engagement ring or piece of fine jewelry, gold is an amazing and durable precious metal. However, because it is so malleable, gold jewelry is often alloyed with other metals to increase its strength. If you are considering a gold ring, be sure to know your ring size before making a purchase. At Luxyverse, we recommend choosing a gold with no more than 18 parts gold (18 karats) for the perfect balance of beauty and durability.
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