The Journey of Gold

Gold has been admired and vehemently sought throughout history, though its evident natural beauty is only one of the characteristics that have made this rare precious metal an attractive commodity transcending geography and time. Its stability, electrical conductivity and resistance to rust and corrosion make gold an integral component of computers and many other types of electrical equipment. Gold is also widely used in dentistry, art, the aerospace industry, the medical field and as currency. Gold’s malleability, distinctive luster and historical significance across cultures perhaps explain why its most popular use today is the crafting of gold jewelry. But where does this all too familiar metal come from?

Gold is an element which occurs naturally within the earth, though its true scientific origin is a matter of dispute among geologists. Gold is mined in various locations throughout the world, with the most abundant supply originating in the Republic of South Africa. Gold intended for commercial purposes is mined from one of the two types of deposits: lode deposits and placer deposits. Lode deposits, also called vein deposits, are deposits of gold ore collected within “veins,” or cracks in rocks. Placer deposits exist in sediment or unconsolidated rock, and commonly form when gold from a lode deposit is exposed to a process such as weathering, transported by water and trapped in deposits. The type of deposit in which gold is found determines the mining method that is used to collect it.

After gold is mined, it must be refined before it is ready to be crafted into products such as wedding bands, eternity rings and electronic products. Though most gold is in its pure form in nature, it often exists in the form of tiny flakes mixed with other substances that must be removed to reveal the pure gold. Rarely is a piece of gold in nature large enough to be seen by the naked eye. Impurities can be removed in several ways during the refining process.

Due to the softness of pure gold, jewelry is often crafted using a gold alloy, which is gold mixed with other metals. The “karat” measurement of gold represents the amount of pure gold in a piece, with 24 karat representing pure gold. A piece of jewelry designated as “14 karat gold,” for instance, is comprised of fourteen parts gold, and ten parts other metal.

Despite its omnipresence throughout history, gold remains a valuable natural resource that is still highly regarded today. Governments throughout the world currently maintain reserves of gold worth billions of dollars.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of eternity rings, diamond rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.