Where Does Gold Come From? You might be wondering where the gold came from to make men’s gold nugget wedding bands, men’s rings, pendants, bracelets, and earrings. Billions of years ago, when the earth was still forming, all of the precious metals in the planet slowly sank into the core. The iron that created the planet’s core was in molten form and any gold, platinum, silver, iron, and other such precious metals got swept away and into the core. This would mean there should not be any precious metals in the earth’s upper layers. However, about 200 million years ago, the earth was bombarded with numerous meteorites. Contained within the meteorites were gold, platinum, silver, iron, and other metals. As the meteorites struck the planet, the precious metals were deposited into the mantle’s silicate layer. All of the precious metals in the meteorites were added to dirt and other components which make up the mantle. Over the course of time, hot water and hot steam vents helped push the gold towards the surface. As the gold was heated, it became soft, pliable, and, in some cases, even liquid. As the hot water passed over the gold it acted as an eroding agent, carrying small gold particles and transporting them higher up in the earth’s mantle and closer to the crust. As the water cooled, so did the gold. The water had pushed the gold into small cracks and openings in rock layers. As the gold started to return to a solid state, all of the small particles were pushed upwards and combined, resulting in the creation of gold veins. Gold veins varied in size, depending upon the size of the natural openings and cracks in the rock layers. While most veins were microscopic, others were much larger, like those discovered during the California and Alaska Gold Rushes. So, the gold layers found in the ground were essentially formed by hot water, steam, and erosion. It is important to point out: There is not an unlimited supply of gold in the ground. Just like with other precious metals, it is limited. The reason for this should be obvious, because the supply of gold and other precious metals were deposited into the earth’s mantle by the meteorite bombardment billions of years ago. Once the supplies of gold and other precious metals are removed from the ground, they are gone, forever. Fortunately, gold can be recycled and reused, and it does not lose its chemical properties. Any gold that has been mined, processed, and turned into men’s wedding bands or other jewelry, can be recycled into new gold products, parts, and components. In addition, since scientists now know earth’s gold supply came from meteorites, they are starting to explore options for future space exploration and mining operations on the moon and the asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter in an effort to expand gold and other precious metal supplies. Summary
The formation of gold veins within the earth occurred from gold particles being deposited into the ground by impacts of numerous meteorites hitting the earth billions of years ago, and hot water, hot steam, and erosion pushing the gold toward the surface. Company Bio Alaska Jewelry is a family owned and operated business based out of Sitka, Alaska. The business was founded in 1990 and has continued to provide that “home-town� jeweler level of customer service, attention to detail, and commitment to offering high quality products. Owners Chris and Tamara Fondell expanded their business in 2000 by launching their online website to provide easy access for people desiring innovative, unique, and custom-made gold jewelry. Feel free to visit their official website at www.alaskajewelry.com or contact them by phone by calling 800360-5744.