What is Gold

What is gold?

Gold (chemical symbol: Au) is a dense, shiny, yellow metal. As a chemical element, it resists corrosion, doesn’t rust, and doesn’t react with most chemicals. It is especially soft and malleable, in fact the most malleable of all metals.

Thanks to its properties it is used in many fields: jewelry and ornamentation, plating for electronic components, dentistry, and even as an international monetary standard.

Why is gold so expensive?

The price of gold stems from two simple factors: rarity and durability.

Unlike other metals, gold cannot be manufactured; it is formed by geological processes that unfold over millions of years. The amount on earth is limited, and virtually all the gold ever extracted is still with us. Gold doesn’t rust or decay, and it has held its worth across generations.

That is why a gold piece bought today can be passed down to children and grandchildren in an almost identical condition.

What sets gold apart?

Three exceptional characteristics distinguish gold from other metals:

A shine that never tires. Gold reflects light in a unique way, and doesn’t lose this over time. Its shine is part of its identity, not a layer of paint that might peel.

Exceptional malleability. One gram of gold can be hammered into a sheet of one square meter, or drawn into a wire kilometers long. This makes it possible to create delicate, intricate jewelry that can’t be made from other metals.

Hypoallergenic. Pure gold almost never causes allergies or irritation, which makes it an ideal choice for people with sensitive skin.

How much gold exists in the world?

It is estimated that since the beginning of mining, fewer than 200,000 tons of gold have been extracted, an amount that would fit into a single cube about 22 meters on each side. This makes clear why gold is so rare: most of it is accounted for: part held by states and central banks, and the rest in private hands, largely as jewelry.

Karat Table: A Guide to Purity Grades

The karat is the unit measuring the percentage of pure gold in a piece. 24K is essentially pure gold (99.9%), but it’s too soft for everyday jewelry, so it’s mixed with other metals to create more durable alloys.

9K gold (hallmark 375) is the hardest and most durable of all karats, thanks to its high alloy content (62.5%). But that same high proportion of other metals makes it more reactive: over time, and especially in contact with water, sweat, perfume or chemicals, it may change color (darken or fade), and can even irritate sensitive skin. It is less common in Israel, where most jewelry is 14K and 18K.