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Gold

Gold is unusual because it rarely forms natural compounds with other minerals, naturally occurring gold is practically pure and instantly recognisable, grains of gold in rivers have caused several "Gold Rushes" throughout history, notably in Africa and America. Welsh gold is rare but is famously used for the wedding rings of the British Royal Family.

Some of the world's oldest artefacts are made of gold.

Gold is so soft that it is easy to work into intricate patterns, however it's softness means to make it more hardwearing it is often blended with other metals.

  • 9ct gold is 37.5% gold
  • 14ct gold is 58% gold
  • 18ct is 75% gold
  • 22ct is 91.75% gold
  • 24ct is 100% pure gold

Yellow is the natural colour of gold. Red gold is a coloured with copper. White gold is a coloured with silver or platinum. Green/blue gold is coloured with iron.

The term "carat" (alternatively spelt as "karat") is derived from the carob nut Ceratonia siliqua (Arabic harrũba); which was the standard weighing device which Arab traders used to measure precious items.