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BA2 - Architecture / In Depth Gold Research

charlightart
Jan 15, 2015
2 min read

What is Gold? Origin / Meaning of the name Gold The name originates from the Old English Anglo-Saxon word 'geolo' meaning yellow. The Symbol Origin is from the Latin word 'aurum' meaning 'shining dawn' which is in reference to Aurora, the Roman Goddess of dawn. Gold was once referred to as one of the 'Noble Metals' which also included Silver and Platinum. Noble Metals were so called due to their long association with the aristocracy.

Facts about the History of the Discovery of Gold Element - A Metal of Antiquity Gold was discovered in Ancient times and used by the ancient South Americans, Asians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese. It is mentioned in the Bible. Gold is measured by troy weight and by gram. The term 'carat' meaning purity is used to indicate the amount of gold present, with 24 carats being pure gold and lower ratings proportionally less. Gold is one of the metals referred to as one of the 'Metals of Antiquity'. The ancient 'Metals of Antiquity' together with their approximate dates of discovery and use are Gold (6000BC), Copper (9000BC), Silver (4000BC), Lead (6400BC), Tin (3000BC), Iron (1500BC) and Mercury (1500BC).

What is Gold? Occurrence of the Gold Element Gold is widely distributed on the earth in the form of dust, grains, flakes, or nuggets. The chief producers are South Africa, the United States and Australia. Gold occurs in veins and alluvial deposits and is recovered by mining or by panning & sluicing. Obtained from the crust of the earth Hydrothermal ore deposits of gold occur in metamorphic rocks and igneous rocks Found as the native metal in the form of dust, grains, flakes, or nuggets Nearly 75% of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as metals which are detailed in the List of Metals.

Gold Mining - Placer Gold Mining and Hydraulic Gold Mining Native gold occurs in the form of small grains or larger nuggets in the sands of old rivers, or imbedded in quartz veins in rocks. In the first case it is obtained in crude form by placer mining. The sand containing the gold is shaken or stirred in troughs of running waters called sluices. This sweeps away the sand but allows the heavier gold to sink to the bottom of the sluice. Sometimes the sand containing the gold is washed away from its natural location into the sluices by powerful streams of water delivered under pressure from pipes. This is called hydraulic mining. In vein mining the gold bearing quartz is mined from the veins, stamped into fine powder in stamping mills, and the gold extracted by one of the processes to be described.

What is Gold? Associated Uses of Gold Gold has always been used as an indicator of wealth and the fabulous death mask of Tutankhamun is a well known example. The Ancient Egyptians also believed that gold had a magical potency containing significant religious properties and was therefore referred to as the 'Flesh of the Gods'. Other uses of this precious metal include: Currency Coinage Jewelry Tableware Medicine and Health Care Dental alloys Electronics