Gold isn’t just a pretty piece of precious metal; it’s one of the most useful minerals on earth. It is a very versatile metal with a diverse range of properties, making it useful in a slew of different categories. Gold has been a key player in the field of science, economics, and beauty. Since gold does not tarnish easily, is able to conduct electricity, is very malleable, and is generally easy to work with, the presence of gold extends much further than a piece of gold jewelry. If you stop in your tracks and think about the presence of gold, you just might catch yourself in awe. Think of the meaning and significance gold has throughout history. Gold not only has a heavy physical value, but it also has a strong metaphorical value. It’s used to convey strength, money, influential power, beauty, pride and much, much more.
Main Use of Gold
Current gold buyers and gold sellers can tell you that most of today’s gold in the open market comes in the form of jewelry. In fact, around 80 percent of today’s gold is made into some type of jewelry. Gold was always one of the most favored precious metals used for jewelry. Just look at the Egyptians, Romans, Greek, India, China, Europe, and practically every other country. For thousands of years, gold has been worn as decoration jewelry often to convey high societal status and importance.
There is of course, a very scientific reason why gold has been the favored precious metal throughout the centuries among all types of cultures. Gold pawn shop owners and gold buyers will all tell you why gold is so desirable. Reasons why gold is favored:
- Tarnish free
- High luster and shine
- Deep, rich yellow hues
- Easy to work with because of high malleability
- Ability to work well with other alloy metals such as silver, platinum, and copper.
Gold as A Form of Currency
Gold is the only precious metal that still has high market value and is still used as a form of money. The versatility and rarity of gold helps keep the value high. Before paper money became our main currency, gold was used for trading, buying everyday common goods, and bartering in businesses. Though gold is not used as a direct form of currency exchange, it still bares financial weight and value for a country.
Gold in Electronics
One of the main uses of gold in an industrial setting is with producing electronics. Because gold conducts electricity very easily and does not tarnish easily, electronic makers depend on gold to serve as connectors, wires, or connector strips. Little fun fact: gold is usually used in the makings of laptops and other computers. Gold serves as a reliable conductor so it is often used in the making of processors and microchips.
Gold for Medicinal Purposes
Gold can also be used in the production of certain drugs. Small traces of gold are used not only used medicinally to treat conditions such as arthritis and certain rare conditions, but it is also used for cancer diagnostics. Radioactive gold is injected in the body to determine if a patient has a certain cancer or not.
Emilie is a writer living in New York and has blogged on topics such as finding reputable long island pawn shops, how to buy vintage jewelry, the latest fashion trends, and anything fashion/trend related.
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