A precious metal par excellence, gold has fascinated humans for millennia.
Gold - photo credit Marieclaire.fr
Etymology and history of gold
The term "gold" originates from the Latin word "aurum," which gave rise to the adjective "auriferous," meaning "containing gold."
According to various studies, gold appeared 4 billion years ago but was only discovered by humans around 6000 BC. Due to its luster, rarity, and resistance to oxidation, gold was quickly coveted by civilizations. The metal was used in jewelry in ancient Egypt and as currency in ancient Greece. Pre-Columbian civilizations ascribed sacred qualities to it. Gold was then used as a monetary standard.
Precious metal gold - photo credit Les Echos.fr
Characteristics of the metal
In its pure state, gold is non-oxidizing and soft, which requires it to be combined with other metals to improve its rigidity.
Properties:
- Chemical symbol: Au
- Atomic number: 79
- Hardness: 2.5 on the Mohs scale
- Original color: metallic yellow
Gold bars - photo credit Niessing
Colors of gold
Yellow gold: alloy of pure gold on one side, and silver and copper on the other
Rose gold: alloy of pure gold on one side, and mainly copper on the other
White gold: alloy of pure gold on one side, and nickel zinc or palladium on the other
Gold hallmark
Certifying the metal content, in this case gold, the guarantee hallmark is a mark issued by state-accredited institutions. The hallmark is applied by the State for items weighing 3 grams of gold or more.
999 thousandths gold is used for gold bars.
|
Gold Denomination |
Content |
Hallmark Symbol |
|
999 thousandths Gold or 24 carat Gold |
99.9% pure gold and 0.1% metal alloy |
Seahorse |
|
916 thousandths Gold or 22 carat Gold |
91.6% pure gold and 8.4% metal alloy |
Eagle head |
|
750 thousandths Gold or 18 carat Gold |
75% pure gold and 25% metal alloy |
Eagle head |
To learn more about gold mining