Art, obsession, and identity
Undoubtedly one of the most useful metals, civilizations around the world have revered gold for thousands of years. Admired for its diverse use, gold is easy to work with and can be melted and cast into highly detailed shapes. It can also be drawn into wire, and hammered into thin sheets. Utilized for decorations, jewelry, and currency, the uses for this precious metal have now become endless.
From the tech industry to culinary use, click on to discover the unexpected uses for gold.
There is a small amount of gold in some meteorites and other space debris that fall to Earth. In fact, some scientists believe that much of the Earth's gold may have originally come from outer space.
Au is the element symbol for gold and comes from the Latin name aurum, which means "shining dawn" or "glow of sunrise."
Gold is relatively unreactive and resists degradation by air, moisture, or acidic conditions. While acids dissolve most metals, gold is dissolved using a special mixture of acids called aqua regia.
Pure elemental gold is 24 karats, while 18-karat gold is 75% pure gold, 14-karat gold is 58.5%, and 10-karat gold is 41.7%.
Gold is usually found in rivers and streams. This is because the flowing water washes away lighter materials and leaves behind the heavier materials, like gold.
While the concentration of gold in seawater is extremely low, there's an estimated 20 million tons of gold dissolved in the oceans.
Some plant species are known to absorb trace amounts of gold from the soil. Scientists have even experimented using plants to extract gold from contaminated soil.
Gold is often found in small amounts in rocks and minerals, particularly in veins of quartz and sulfides.
So now that you know where to find gold in nature, what are some peculiar ways this mineral has been used? Well, dentistry is one field. For centuries, gold has been used for fillings, crowns, and other types of dental work.
Some people have discovered that their hair contains small amounts of gold. This is likely due to exposure to the metal in the environment. Talk about golden locks!
Although gold is a heavy, dense metal, it's generally considered nontoxic. Therefore, gold is sometimes used as a food additive, particularly in luxury restaurants. How about a golden steak?
Gold is also being incorporated into drinks, such as the popular cinnamon schnapps Goldschläger. Each bottle contains small fragments of gold foil that can be consumed.
Gold is sometimes used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging ingredient in cosmetics and beauty products. However, the amounts used are typically very small.
Gold is super flexible, and a single ounce of gold (about 28 grams) can be stretched into a gold thread that's 5 miles (8 km) long. Gold thread and embroidery have been used in textiles for centuries, especially in royal clothing.
In every single vehicle that NASA launches into space, gold is used in several ways. The metal is used in the circuitry, as well as to lubricate the mechanical parts. It's also used to coat the inside of the spacecraft, protecting the astronauts from infrared radiation and extreme temperatures.
Just like it protects the spacecraft from the harmful UV rays, a thin layer of gold is also applied to the visors of astronaut helmets, as well as their suits.
A natural conductor of electricity, televisions and computers contain small amounts of gold. Also, older items like cameras and radios tend to have gold within their circuit boards.
Cellphones also contain a small amount of gold. With gold having a high resistance to corrosion, it's much more reliable than silver. However, it's more expensive.
Gold ink can help achieve high quality and durable prints. This has extended into 3D printing, where gold has been used experimentally to produce unique items.
Gold nanoparticles can be added to glass to create a range of colors, from red to purple and blue. These types of glass are often used in luxury items, such as jewelry and watches.
Commonly found in religious artwork, some artists have used gold leaf or gold paint in their pieces. Even small amounts of gold can add significant value to these creations.
Due to its biocompatibility and resistance to corrosion, gold is sometimes used in medical implants, such as pacemakers and artificial joints.
Gold is even used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Providing pain relief through the reduction of swelling and stiffness, patients typical get injections containing gold salts during 22 weeks.
Many coins and medals are made from real gold, and even the smallest amounts can add significant value to these items.
Just like with artwork, gold leaf has been used throughout history to create coverings on the external and internal surfaces of buildings, such as religious temples and royal palaces. Gold is surprisingly durable and can help protect against corrosion.
In 2012, the Sberbank-Kazakhstan bank introduced an exclusive credit card made of gold, diamonds, and mother-of-pearl. The bank charges US$100,000 for the card.
Abu Dhabi has a number of Gold to Go ATMs. Found in high-end malls, the machines allow customers to withdraw gold bars. It also offers a variety of engraved coins and plates. The cost is calculated by the current market prices for the metal.
Sources: (ThoughtCo.) (Geology.com) (Minerals Council South Africa)
See also: The world's most incredible historic gold artifacts
Unexpected uses for gold that'll surprise you
This precious metal can be used for a number of peculiar things
LIFESTYLE Curiosities
Undoubtedly one of the most useful metals, civilizations around the world have revered gold for thousands of years. Admired for its diverse use, gold is easy to work with and can be melted and cast into highly detailed shapes. It can also be drawn into wire, and hammered into thin sheets. Utilized for decorations, jewelry, and currency, the uses for this precious metal have now become endless.
From the tech industry to culinary use, click on to discover the unexpected uses for gold.