What Is Gold?

In its purest form, it is a soft, noble, malleable metal, yellow in color with resistance to corrosion or oxidation and does not rust or tarnish under normal conditions.  Its’ English name probably comes from the Old English word “geolo”, meaning yellow, and its’ chemical symbol AU from the Latin term for gold, Aurum. There are several other opinions about the word's origin, though, so don't think this is the last work on the subject.  In its uncombined form it has one stable isotope with an atomic mass of 197 in its nucleus and 118 neutrons and 79 protons.

Gold forms alloys with numerous other metals, most commonly the ones nearest to it on the periodic table.  It combines most readily with copper. Viktor Goldschmidt classified gold as a chalcophile, meaning that gold has an infinity for sulfur. However, there are no known combinations with sulfur, but several with elements that are related to sulfur, namely tellurium and selenium.  Another alloy of gold is electrum, a combination of gold and silver usually 25%, but the silver content can be as much as 50%, and was used extensively in the ancient world for coinage although not necessarily from a natural state.  - ref. extra Lapis English No 5:  GOLD The Noble Mineral by Lapis International, LLC; East Hampton, Ct. www.lithographie.org.  This book from Lapis International is a terrific scientific look at gold, put into laymans terms.  Hooked On Gold highly recommends it.

As an introduction page for articles that don't fit anywhere else, you will find an interesting article with pictures about a gold panner who has spent many years finding gold with just his pan, a classifier and a long screwdriver.  Just proves you don't need fancy equipment, just knowledge and a willingness to dig dirt.