The geology of gold

Gold is one of the 92 naturally occurring elements on Earth. It is unmatched in terms of usability and features unique properties not present in any other natural material.

Almost all known cultures have established gold to be a symbol of power, beauty, wealth, and purity.

From jewelry to ornamental architecture, prestigious awards, and even food delicacies, gold is recognized as a rarity and remains a prominently used metal.

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Au Gold is most often identified by its attractive metallic sheen and color, while its pleasant surface texture is one-of-a-kind. There’s also no known natural substance that can destroy gold.

Gold is non-reactive, so it does not rust or tarnish, maintaining its brilliant luster for eons.

While being soft and dense, gold is also highly malleable and can be shaped for different uses quite easily.

197.0 Gold

The natural formation of gold was initially created by deep underground hydrothermal pressure millions of years ago. This transference of gold within the Earth’s crust is dissolved into warm or hot salty water. These fluids are then generated in large amounts during metamorphism.

Dissolved gold in this form, along with other elements, migrate upwards, usually within cooler regions of fractured rock near the Earth’s surface.

Gold eventually settles and becomes insoluble, which then crystalizes itself within masses of white silicon dioxide, otherwise known as quartz. As chemical weathering and erosion gradually lower the Earth’s surface, these gold bearing quartz veins are exposed to the atmosphere.

Gold’s unique manufacturing flexibility and quality continues to be used primarily in jewelry. In fact, according to geology.com, 78% of the world’s gold is used in jewelry.

The variations of pure gold describe gold which has been alloyed with other metals, such as copper or silver. These gold alloys are measured by the term ‘karat’ or K. This measurement identifies the amount of pure gold within an object.

A purity rating of 12K, for example, would define an object containing about 50% of actual gold, since 24K is technically pure gold.

Gold is used in many facets of both industry and society. From aerospace to dentistry, gold’s versatile properties continue to find use in many areas of culture. In standard computers, precise and rapid data transmission is dependent on the use of gold as a reliable and efficient conductor.

In modern medicine, gold has been known as a way to treat rheumatoid arthritis through injection. In small amounts, gold is used to remedy a condition known as Lagophthalmos.

This is done by implanting small amounts of gold in the upper eyelid.

In surgery, particles of radioactive gold isotopes are implanted within tissue to serve as treatment for certain cancers.

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Ag 107.87 Silver

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Cu 30

Zn 65.39 Zinc

63.55 Copper

Alloyed metals found in gold jewelry take on a wide range of colors. Gold can form alloys with most metals. The most common being silver, copper, and zinc. Other metals can also be added to enhance coloration.

These variations of colored gold can include yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, blue gold, rose gold, and many others. Each of these colored variations contains different percentages of alloys.

Gold is commonly found in two major types of mineral deposits. Vein deposits are where gold is found in fractures and veins of rock. Placer deposits are formed from water, where gold is found eroded out of lode deposits.

South Africa has been known to be one of the world’s largest natural producers of gold. It is estimated that South Africa has about half of the Earth’s resource of gold, which is approximately 50,000 tons.

Within the United States, Alaska and Nevada are the main producers of gold.

Much of the gold imported overseas to America arrives from Brazil and Canada.

Gold bearing quartz is one of the world’s most sought-after and rarest forms of natural gold. Quartz is found in many colors and often with other materials.

The original quartz rock is cut into slabs which exposes the gold veins. These slabs are then hand cut and polished into stones to fit specific 14K to 18K jewelry designs.

When quartz and gold are found together, they make elegant and highly desirable jewelry. Due to its rare form, no two gold bearing quartz pieces are the same.

Alaska Jewelry has grown a successful reputation in distributing only the highest quality of jewelry options available today. Our unique selection ranges from native Alaskan jewelry to gold in quartz jewelry and everything in between.

We are proud to deliver a diverse collection of jewelry and other gift products at the affordable prices you deserve. Our customer service representatives are standing by to answer any questions you may have. We offer free insured shipping and 31-day risk-free returns.

Visit us today to learn more at www.alaskajewelry.com.