Gold

Guide Note

Gold is the 79th element in the periodic table, and is represented by the symbol Au. Formations of the element are a precious metal highly prized for its shiny yellow color. Its weight and malleability make it a common component in jewelry. It also has numerous technological and scientific applications.

Fast Facts:

1. 79th element in the periodic table
2. Represented by the symbol Au
3. Pure gold is bright yellow
4. Color will never tarnish
5. Is one of the world's most precious metals
6. Because of gold's softness it is rarely used in pure form
7. Cannot be created out of lead
8. In 1980 gold reached an all time high price of $800
9. The largest gold nugget found was in California in 1854

Practical Applications of Gold

Because of its rarity and preciousness, gold has historically been used as a monetary standard for both private citizens and national economies. As well, gold exhibits a high level of electrical conductivity and strong resistance to corrosion, which makes it a popular component in electrical systems both as wires and contacts.

• Did you mean gold jewelry?

The Mahalo Top 7

1. Wikipedia: Gold
2. American Museum of Natural History: Gold
3. USGS: Gold Statistics and Information
4. World Gold Council
5. California History Online: The Gold Rush: California Transformed
6. Gold Bulletin: Gold Journal
7. ResponsibleGold.org: Gold Information

Gold News

• Google News: Gold
• Science Daily: Gold
• Guardian: Mining power crisis sends precious metals to new highs | Business | guardian.co.uk (January 25, 2008)
  • "'We hold with our view that gold will hit a high of $1,250 this year,' said Ross Norman, managing director at TheBullionDesk.com."
• Forbes.com: "Fed Rate Cut Could Start Gold Rush" 
• RNA: "Russian Government Takes Over Gold Mining Sector"

Economics of Gold

• Eh.Net. Gold Standard
• The Future of Freedom Foundation: The Federal War on Gold
• USA Gold Daily: Live Gold News, Price Quotes, and Daily Gold Market
• Lew Rockwell: What the Price of Gold Is Telling Us by Ron Paul (2006)
• Wikipedia: Gold Standard

Gold History and Properties

• USGS: Gold
• Periodic Table of the Elements: Gold
• Calliope: The Gold Rushes of North America (1847-1900)
• GoldAvenue: History of Gold In Civilisation
• The Privateer Gold Pages: The Roosevelt Gold Confiscation Order Of April 3 1933.

Gold Mining

• Wikipedia: Gold Mining
• Earthworks: 1872 Mining Law Information and Reform
• Arizona Gold Prospectors: Gold and Mining Information

Gold Educational Resources

• How to Invest in Gold
• PBSKids: Gold Rush
• Oakland Museum of California: Californias Untold Stories: Gold Rush
• WebElements Periodic Table: Gold
• Newmont: Gold
• Xpeditions: The Quest for Gold: Activity

Gold Images and Videos

• Wikimedia Commons: Gold Pictures
• Google Image Search: Gold
• Metacafe: Make Gold and Silver Pennies 
• YouTube: Gold Mine Tour and The Unseen Gold Mine Tour
• AltaVista Image Search: Gold
• NASA.gov: On the Origin of Gold

Gold Blogs and Forums

• New Scientist Environment: Modern-day gold rush threatens Grand Canyon
• Code4Gold: Theres Gold in Then Thar Hills! 

Gold Fun Stuff

• Ghost Town Wild West Museum: Gold Panning
• Crazygames.dk: Goldminer Game 
• ThinkGeek: Japanese Lucky Golden Poo

Gold Books and Merchandise

• Amazon.com: Books and Jewerly & Watches
• Zales: Gold Jewelry

Gold in Popular Culture

• YouTube: Goldfinger Theatrical Trailer
• YouTube: Austin Powers in Goldmember Trailer
• YouTube: Ennio Morricone's The Ecstasy of Gold
• YouTube: Homer The 14k Golden King

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