Uses of Gold
Mention the word, "gold" and the first thing that will probably spring to your mind is jewellery. This precious metal has been used to fashion objects of beauty and value for an estimated 6,000 years. But gold is a metal with more properties than just its lustre. The sheer number and variety of the uses to which it can be put will surprise you. Much modern day technology relies on the gold that is used in its manufacture. It is also invaluable in a number of medical fields and plays an important role in space travel.
Jewellery
This is undoubtedly what most of the gold that's produced is still used for. It's estimated that around 78% of the world's gold goes into the making of jewellery. Some of this is newly mined and a good percentage of it is recycled gold. This is gold that's recovered when items of unwanted jewellery are melted down. Gold is particularly suitable for the production of jewellery. Not only is it beautiful to look at but it also doesn't easily tarnish. During the manufacturing process, gold's flexibility means that it is capable of being hammered, cast and stretched into all manner of shapes and settings.
Different purities of gold are used in the making of jewellery and it's mixed with other metals in varying quantities. In North America and Japan, the pureness of gold is indicated by a stamp on the individual item of jewellery, which will show how many karats (K) it has. For example, 24K is the purest form and contains 99.99% gold, whereas 18K contains 75% gold mixed with 25% of metal alloys. In Europe the purity is shown as a percentage and both methods of showing purity are used throughout Asia. Adding other metals such as silver, platinum and copper to gold has an effect on its durability and appearance. When the added metals are less rare, the gold alloy is, of course, cheaper and more viable for use in jewellery.
Gilding and Gold Leaf
One ounce of gold can be fashioned into a sheet that measures 300 square feet but is only a few millionths of an inch thick. This makes it ideal for applying to picture frames and furniture as a gild. Its beauty and durability are key factors in the use of gold as a covering for parts of special buildings such as mosques and churches.
Coins, Bullion and Currency Backing
Its rarity has long meant that gold has been used as a means of transaction. It's not only attractive and inherently valuable, but it's also hardwearing and easy to carry around in order to exchange for goods or services. Gold in the form of coins has been used for more than 2,500 years. The first gold coins date back to around 560 BC and were produced in Turkey. Gold coinage was common until the beginning of the 20th century, when it began to be replaced with paper currency.
Nowadays, gold coins are not generally used to purchase things, but it is still possible to buy coins containing specific weights of gold, as a way of making an investment. Commemorative coins are issued that not only hold significance as collectable items, but are also valuable because of the gold they contain.
In the past, the paper money that was issued by various governments was backed by gold. Every note that was in circulation had a corresponding amount of gold held safely. Theoretically, a person could demand an equal value of gold in exchange for paper money in their possession. This was referred to as the "gold standard". The system became unworkable and has now been universally abandoned.
Gold in Dentistry
The use of gold for various aspects of dental work is well established, but it dates back further than you might think. It's known that Etruscans used gold wire to fix false teeth in their mouths as far back as 700 BC. Nowadays, it's used for fillings and crowns, as well as bridges and other orthodontic appliances. The popularity of gold within dentistry is partly because of its desirable appearance, but also because it's pliable to work with and is non-allergenic and chemically inert.
Gold in Medicine
There are a number of medical conditions for which treatment is given that utilises gold in one form or another. It can be used in weak solutions that are injected as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Radioactive gold may be used as part of the radiation treatment given to some cancer patients.
Gold in Electronics and Computers
Because it is a highly efficient conductor, gold is used in the manufacture of countless electronic components used in devices such as mobile phones, calculators and television sets. The very low voltages and currents that are used within these devices would be susceptible to interruptions if there was corrosion or tarnishing at the contact points. This problem is minimised by the use of gold.
The computer or laptop on which you're reading this contains small amounts of gold that are used in many parts of its manufacture. Gold's performance as a conductor is vital within such devices because they require the very fast and accurate transmission of digital data. For instance, you'll find gold on the edge connectors, which connect motherboards to microprocessors and memory chips.
Gold in the Aerospace Industry
Its dependability and durability mean that gold is widely used in the building of spacecraft. Just like everyday electronic items, space circuitry is heavily dependent on the use of gold. Also, it makes an essential contribution to the integrity of the structure on the outside of the spacecraft. Gold-coated polyester film is used to cover many areas and this reflects infrared radiation, thereby keeping the temperature of the craft constant.
So, whilst gold is primarily thought of as an ornamental metal that's used in the manufacture of jewellery, or as a means of investment or transaction, there are many other uses for this versatile material today. It is invaluable for the electronics industry and aerospace, as well as being widely used for medical and dental treatments. Shakespeare may have written, "all that glisters is not gold", but it is also equally true to say that "all that's gold is great"!
