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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.
What is Gold? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Gold Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States
of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Gold is
classified
as a "Transition Metal" which are located in Groups 3 - 12 of the
Periodic Table. Elements classified as
Transition Metals are generally described as ductile, malleable, and able to conduct electricity and heat.For additional facts and information refer to
Gold Properties.
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.
Abundance of
Gold
% in Universe 6×10-8%
% in Sun 1×10-7%
% in Meteorites 0.000017%
% in Earth's Crust 3.1×10-7%
% in Oceans 5×10-9%
% in Humans 0.00001%
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.
Medical Uses of Gold -
Health and Treatments
Interesting information is contained in the following table of Medical Uses
of Gold, Health and Treatments.
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Medical uses of Gold - Health and Treatments |
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Medical
Disorders |
Medical
Symptoms |
Uses of
Gold & Treatments |
|
Dental / Teeth problems |
Toothache |
Gold dental alloys are
used for fillings, crowns, bridges and orthodontic appliances |
|
Lagophthalmos |
Inability to inability
to close the eyes completely |
Implanting small
amounts of gold "weights" in the upper eyelid |
|
Cancer / Tumors of the
stomach and intestines (the peritoneum) |
Various
symptoms according to the type illness and health issue |
Colloidal gold is
injected into the peritoneum - gold therapy
|
|
Rheumatoid arthritis |
Inflammation
of the joints |
Used as a suspension in
oil or as water-soluble preparations for injections. A drug containing gold salts |
|
Medical
Disorders |
Medical
Symptoms |
Uses of
Gold & Treatments |
A useful reference
providing information regarding the medical uses of Gold, associated health
issues and disorders and treatments using Gold.
Gold salts are among the most toxic of
therapeutic agents and must be given only under strict medical supervision.
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 |
