All you need to know about Gold

Gold is a metal and a chemical element. It has the chemical symbol AU and also has anatomic number of 79. When compared to the other metals around gold is less chemically reactive. Gold is used primarily in jewellery but is also important for lots of other things, due to the fact that is a good conductor of electricity and heat. Gold is shiny, soft and very dense meaning it is the perfect metal to work with because it can be easily beaten into thin sheets or other shapes. Gold is classed as a precious metal, around the world many people buy gold and trade it for all sorts of different reasons such as religious, emotional, financial and cultural reasons. Where is Gold Found? Since 2009 it has been recorded that humans have mined over 160,000 tons of gold. You can find gold in nearly every continent in the world. Over the last 100 years, South Africa was the biggest producer of gold before recently being taken over by China. There are two types of gold Primary gold, which is mined in rock formations, and secondary gold which is found within water ways. Primary gold is found in rock formations, and these usually become mines if a lot of gold is discovered there. If this is the case you usually find some other minerals alongside the gold like quartz and silver. The secondary gold is then found in the waterways that run through these rock formations. When the current of the water is strong enough it will carry gold nuggets down to the riverbeds where these can then be found.

The History of Gold 

Throughout history, gold has always been seen as one of the biggest symbols of wealth and riches. It has been around for over 4000 years BC and is one of the oldest minerals. It is likely to have first been found in nuggets along the riverbeds, with its shiny beauty attracting people to it. Gold was used mainly in ancient times for jewellery and to make ornaments of idols for worship purposes. It was around 150 BC that people started to see the value of gold and start using it for currency, and it was believed to have first occurred in Nubia, Egypt. It was in Egypt where the first fold coin was created called a Shekel, it weighed 11.3 grams and became the currency in the middle east for some time. In 50b the Romans also started to then use gold coins for currency and these were called Aureus, which is the Latin word for gold. This is where the gold chemical symbol Au was created from. Some Facts About Gold If you were to collect all the gold that was available in the world, it would wrap around the world 11.2 million times. Gold has a boiling point of 2808 degrees centigrade. You are more likely to find a five-carat diamond than a nugget of gold. The mineral pyrite has the nickname Fools Gold due to its similar appearance to gold.

How to Clean Gold Jewellery 

All gold should have that sparkle and shine, but after a lot of wear, it can become dull and lifeless, and lose its shine, so you must clean it and protect it to make sure that your gold stays in the best shape it possibly can. Gold is best cleaned with a mild soap, warm water and a soft cloth. If the items are larger then you can leave them to soak for a few minutes, a delicate item such as thin chains should be wiped over. You should store your jewellery in a cloth-lined jewellery box. 

Why Gold Jewellery?

Gold is the most popular choice for jewellery, as it is shiny, beautiful and very versatile. It is also very malleable meaning that it can be manipulated into many different shapes and designs. Gold has a very high status and is seen as a symbol of good fortune and wealth. You know that when you choose to buy a piece of gold jewellery that this will remain timeless, and always hold its value. Gold is not only elegant but extremely durable and lasts for many, many years, it is the perfect choice for everyday wear and this is the reason why it is the main choice for wedding rings, which are never taken off. You would also give gold as the gift for anyone celebrating their 50 th wedding anniversary.