What on Earth Is Gold?

Gold is a soft, dense, bright yellow metal that occurs naturally as grains and nuggets, and it is one of the few metals found in its native state. It rates 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale, so it is usually alloyed with other metals, and people have prized it since about 3,000 B.C. For the look of gold in stone form, see pyrite, often called fool's gold, and sparkling goldstone.

The Physical Properties of Gold

Gold is one of the noblest metals that occurs in its native (free elemental form) “ as grains or nuggets in veins, rocks, and alluvial deposits. It often naturally alloyed with palladium and copper and also occurs in a reliable solution with silver. In its purest form, gold is a soft, dense, slightly reddish yellow, bright, ductile, and malleable metal. Gold is not affected by exposure to most reagents or air and is a good conductor of heat or electricity. To increase its strength, it is alloyed with other metals. The amount of gold present is expressed with the term karat. Gold can be bent, shaped, or beaten into thin sheets. It has a value of 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale of hardness.

The History of Gold

In human history, there are only a few metals that have had such an influential role. The first evidence of social interaction with this noble metal occurred around 3,000 B.C. in ancient Egypt. Temple priests and pharaohs prized it “ the capstones on the Pyramids of Giza were of gold. Later on, the ancient Greeks viewed it as a form of glory amongst demigods and immortal gods. The Aztecs, Incas, and many other civilizations used gold in architectural designs and religious ceremonies. Gold used to be a status symbol that separated one class from another. Those who had the gold held power. During the 1800s, there were many gold rushes as a single gold nugget could make a person a millionaire.

The Lore of Gold

In many ancient civilizations, gold had spiritual meaning. In ancient Egypt, gold was the solar metal and a part of the sacred sphere. Gold was divine to the Sumerians who used it to make holy temple instruments. In the Sahel and Sahara area, people believed that gold was effective in warding off the evil eye. In West Africa people thought that gold had a life on its own, so they avoided it.

The Metaphysical Properties of Gold

In crystal and spiritual tradition, gold symbolises complete understanding and communion with the source of life. It is also associated with self-knowledge and confidence, and with the heart and crown chakras and the third eye.

In crystal lore, gold is said to have a receptive, cooperative energy that pairs well with other gemstones. Today it is used mainly in jewellery, coinage, electronics and decoration; for stone jewellery, browse jewellery beads.