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Since the beginning of recorded history, gold has played a
significant role in society. In the ancient world, gold ornaments were used in religious
rituals symbolizing power, light and life. Over the centuries it has remained the
"noblest of metals," the ultimate currency and the only universally accepted
means of exchange.
Today gold helps millions of people throughout the
world live longer, healthier lives, and has enabled mankind to conquer space and to
develop new electronic and environmental technologies. This essential metal is at the
heart of today’s sophisticated global communications network and plays an important
role in medical research.
Resistance to Corrosion – Gold is the most non-reactive of all metals. It is
benign in all natural elements, and consequently, it will not rust or tarnish when subject
to weather, water and oxygen. A combination of nitric and hydrochloric acid, known as aqua
regia or royal water, and the cyanides are the only known liquids to dissolve this metal.
This resistance to corrosion makes gold ideal for electronics, aerospace and decorative
applications.
Electrical Conductivity – Gold is the third most conductive of all metals after
silver and copper. It allows current to flow unimpeded at temperatures varying from
–55 to +200 degrees centigrade. End uses that require gold’s conductive
properties include stereos, telephones, computers, televisions, videocassette recorders
and radar equipment.
Ductility and Malleability – Gold is the most ductile and malleable of all
metals. It can be drawn into tiny wires or threads without breaking and can be shaped or
extended into extremely thin sheets. Gold’s superb ductility is required for the
manufacturing of semiconductors, electronic microcircuitry and in architectural design.
Its malleability allows artisans to create many finely detailed jewelry and decorative
designs.
Thermal Reflectivity – Gold is the best reflector of long wavelength thermal
radiation. High purity gold reflects up to 99 percent of infrared rays. As the most
efficient thermal reflector, gold finds use in laser-cavity mirrors, infrared
night-surveillance scopes, protective coatings on firefighters’ visors, space
satellites and aircraft cockpit windows.
Did you know? – An ounce of gold can be hammered into a square sheet 100 feet
on each side or drawn into a wire that would stretch 5 miles.
A Golden Fact – Gold is so dense in volume that the total amount ever mined could
be contained in a cube measuring 62 feet on each side. The total amount of gold ever mined
is 4.2 billion ounces. Number includes production through 1996, information from The Gold
Institute.
For more information on gold please contact:
The Gold Institute
1112 16th Street, NW, Suite 240
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 835-0185
Or visit their Website at www.goldinstitute.com
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