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Many of us love the shiny, yellow metal of gold. It’s tough and hard-wearing, looks fantastic and is naturally occurring. But what exactly is gold, and why is it so precious?
Scientifically speaking, gold is a chemical element and a metal. Its chemical symbol is Au, and its atomic number is 79, which represents the number of protons found in every atom of gold. Higher atomic numbers mean the element is heavier. This makes gold one of the rarer naturally occurring elements that has a high atomic number.
These scientific foundations of gold already show why it is such an important element. Gold is also incredibly useful. It conducts electricity very well, it’s resistant to most acids, does not oxidize, and it is incredibly malleable, which means it can be shaped easily without getting damaged.
This is why gold has become such a versatile commodity that has been used throughout the ages. Here are some other incredible facts about gold.
Creation of Gold
Gold is naturally occurring, most often found as nuggets or small grains in rocks and alluvial matter. There are a few theories about how gold was originally formed. Scientists believe it was produced during so-called supernova nucleosynthesis. This happens in very large stars, and is a by-product of various fusion and burning processes.
Another theory poses that gold was created on Earth as a result of the impact of asteroids. This theory is strengthened due to the Witwatersrand Basin in South Africa. This basin is known to have been created by an asteroid more than two billion years ago. Today, this basin has the highest amount of known gold deposits in the world.
Another interesting theory from scientists is that there is a massive amount of gold in the Earth’s core. Since Earth was molten when it was first formed, it is believed much of the gold in the molten material sank to the core. So the deposits of gold to be found on Earth’s accessible surface are likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.
Discovery of Gold
It is likely gold was first discovered in rivers and other waterways, when people would have noticed the shiny deposits. The first known objects made in gold date back to 4000 BC, so gold was literally discovered thousands of years ago. The shiny and special nature of gold made it a revered commodity from the beginning. Most of the early objects made from gold were jewelry for high-powered individuals, and replicas of gods and idols.
The development of gold to represent monetary value is thought to have begun in Ancient Egypt around 1500BC. It is also around this era that a process for testing gold purity was developed. The same principles of this process are still used today!
The use of gold broadened exponentially from this point onwards. Gold was used to create everything from sculptures to rudimentary heating systems.
The Idea of Gold
Gold has incredible real-world value, and is still seen as being a sign of wealth. Interestingly, the idea of gold is so embedded in our society, that objects can simply be made to look gold to have modern day appeal. Jewelry using material that looks like gold is more affordable to many, but still has the same visual appeal. When you book a service with a company, many will offer a ‘gold package’ to give you a superior product or level of customer service. This casino online even has games such as ‘9 Pots of Gold’, which people love playing because of the association with gold.
Gold Trivia
Although gold has been known about for thousands of years, more is being discovered about the metal all the time. It was only in 1922 that Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered, along with 5,000 treasures that were almost all made from solid gold. Even the walls of the chamber where he was discovered were adorned in gold.
Needless to say, gold mining is still big business today, and it is believed that more than 140,000 tons of gold have been discovered and mined through history. Gold has even made its way through the earth and into living flora – scientists in Australia have even discovered traces of gold on eucalyptus tree leaves.
Many everyday objects are made from gold to add a feeling of luxury. The most expensive cell phone in existence is the Gold and Black Diamond iPhone, made by the jeweler Stuart Hughes. It is made from 24-karat solid gold and 600 diamonds, with an estimated value of $15 million. A tablet made by the same designer is said to be worth $8 million.
For watch fans, the most expensive gold watch is said to be the one made by Patek Philippe. It was made especially for the banker Henry Graves, and is made from 18-karat gold. It is worth an estimated $11 million and is now tucked away safely in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.