Incredible facts
Gold is one of the most mysterious substances that is associated with great value. Even during the Olympic Games, the winner's medal is gold.
So why did gold become the most valuable of all metals?
Gold is not the rarest element and does not react with many other elements. It is not radioactive or poisonous, and is yellow in color.
Here are some more fun facts about gold that you may not already know.
Gold on Earth
1. You can get more gold from one ton of old mobile phones than from a ton of gold ore.
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2. If we mined all the gold in the ocean, then there would be 4 kg of gold for every person in the world.
3. Hungarian chemist Gyorgy de Hevesy
dissolved the gold Nobel medals
of German physicists
Max von Laue
and
James Frank
to hide them from confiscation by the Nazis. After the war, the medals were recast.
4. Sailors often wore gold earrings
, since if they drowned and were washed ashore, the earrings served as a kind of payment for a proper Christian burial.
5. An Olympic gold medal is only 1 percent gold.
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6. There are ATMs in Dubai that dispense gold bars.
7. Most of the gold in the earth's crust got there thanks to asteroid impacts.
8. Most of the gold on Earth is in the core,
since it sank towards the center when our planet was formed.
Chemical properties
Let's look at some interesting facts about the chemical element. Gold has atomic number 79 and the name Au, short for the Latin Aurum, which translates to “solar” or “sunrise color”. This is how it is designated in the periodic table of chemical elements.
In the Middle Ages, alchemists conducted many experiments with gold. They tried to create a philosopher's stone that would allow them to transform any other metal into this precious metal. It was alchemists in the 8th century AD who were able to distill a liquid that could dissolve gold. This mixture of copper sulfate, saltpeter, alum and ammonia is now called “royal vodka”.
Thus, long before the advent of modern science, many interesting facts about gold became known. Chemistry only confirmed them with experiments and put the data into visual formulas of chemical elements and their reactions.
Interesting on the topic of gold
16. Gold is edible.
17. Gold has been discovered on all continents of our planet.
18. Gold often ends up in water during earthquakes.
due to pressure deep within the earth's crust.
19. Traces of gold were found in the leaves of eucalyptus trees.
20. Three Olympic swimming pools can hold all the gold
mined throughout the history of mankind.
21. Almost half of this gold was mined in one place - the Witwatersrand in South Africa.
22. Aurophobia is the fear of gold.
23. Indian housewives own almost 11 percent of the world's gold.
This is more than the US, Switzerland, Germany and the International Monetary Fund combined.
24. The largest gold bar weighs 250 kg.
Physical properties
Physical science has found that gold is one of the heaviest metals. Its density is 19.3 grams per cubic centimeter. A golden ball with a diameter of only 46 millimeters will weigh a whole kilogram.
Tungsten has the same density. Fraudsters take advantage of this when counterfeiting gold jewelry.
Another interesting fact about the metal is that gold is very ductile. You can make quite thin plates and even foil from it. When making jewelry, copper or silver is added to the gold alloy for hardness, since pure gold jewelry is easily scratched and loses its aesthetic value.
Of the known metals, only tin and lead are softer than gold.
Interesting facts about gold tell us that it is very easy to make this chemical-resistant metal brittle. It is enough to add just one percent of lead to the alloy, and it will break into pieces.
What is the golden ratio
The precious chemical element has always been used as a standard, an ideal measure of something. Thanks to this, the word “golden” itself acquired the meaning of great, perfect, supreme. People call a kind and sympathetic heart golden. This is the name of hardworking and inventive hands. “Golden man” - they say about someone who has accomplished a significant feat or shown the best qualities.
Likewise, the golden ratio is the name given to the formula of mathematical proportion, the application of which in art leads to the achievement of the ideal. From the point of view of science, the golden ratio is a formula expressing the division of a segment into two unequal ones. In this case, the smaller relates to the larger in the same way as the larger to the first. This ratio has a golden ratio of 1.62.
The application of the rule is seen in the proportions of Egyptian pyramids and tombs, in ancient Greek sculptures and paintings of the Renaissance, as well as in many natural objects.
The appearance of the concept of the golden ratio is associated with the work of Leonardo da Vinci. The principle of this proportion is often seen in his creations.
Interesting facts about the golden ratio were studied by Fibonacci. He derived a number sequence, a kind of spiral equation. Subsequently, it began to be called the spiral golden ratio, or the Fibonacci principle.
Currently, photographers and artists use the rule to create a perfectly harmonious composition.
Top 10: Incredibly expensive gold items
As we all know, gold is a precious metal that human society has treasured since time immemorial. Initially, it was used only as a currency, a stable way of exchanging goods and services. Over time, the situation has changed. Although money is backed by gold to a certain extent, it is largely considered a status symbol. In most cases, gold doesn't make things "better" - it's just there for the sake of being there.
While purchasing gold jewelry makes sense as it has a rather attractive, shiny color, there are many items in which gold is added just to increase its value. People who buy such things simply want the status that gold gives, as it is closely associated with luxury. To give a few examples of such things, we have compiled the top 10 incredibly expensive gold items.
10. Golden grills - $400
photo: listverse.com
Let's start with the classic gold grills, which are a symbol of wealth in the music industry. Grillz became popular in the early 1980s, appearing in many rap and hip-hop music videos. This trend is still relevant today, although it is no longer as associated with rap as it once was. There are many stores and jewelers that can make you your own custom grillz for around $400.
It's kind of funny though, because they don't really serve any function other than to show status. Moreover, they can also damage your teeth, since gold alloys can be quite acidic and harm your teeth. Treatment for illnesses caused by grillz can cost much more than the grillz itself. So if you don’t have enough money for dental treatment, then it’s better not to buy grills.
9. Golden Coffin - $24,000
photo: listverse.com
Next comes the 24-karat gold coffin. Burial in a golden coffin was practiced in the past for some celebrities. This coffin is made with the utmost care and is completely covered in 24 karat gold. Surprisingly, this item costs only $24,000, while smaller items cost much more. It's a shame that those who use it won't actually be able to appreciate its luxury - it's a gesture most likely to those attending a funeral. Gone are the days when coffins were made of wood - the days have come when gold is everywhere!
8. Gold Sunglasses – $75,000
photo: listverse.com
Clean your glasses to make sure you can clearly see the price of the item. For a modest $75,000, you can have your very own sunglasses! Oh, it should probably be said that they are also made entirely of gold - which explains their high price.
While this may seem like a blatant steal of money, an incredible amount of effort goes into creating each pair of these glasses. It takes a skilled craftsman about 40 hours to make them and it's safe to say that they are made with a lot of love and care. Although this probably does not justify their price, since you can feel the same great love and care if you simply ask your grandmother to bake pies.
7. Gold BBQ Grill - $111,000
photo: listverse.com
It's getting hotter - we have a golden grill! Unlike previous grills*, this one can actually cook food. Although what it does have in common with them is a price tag that doesn't quite match what it actually does for you. You see, this gold grill costs about $111,000. For that kind of money you can buy thousands of grills that will do the same thing.
Like most gold items, this one also serves as a status symbol, as you can buy almost the same grill for just a fraction of the cost of this one. Maybe if it cooked your food completely on its own then it could justify the price, but for now it's only made for those who have too much money to pay for it.
* play on words: “grills” from paragraph 1 can also be translated as “grills” - approx. translation
6. Gold Shirt - $250,000
photo: listverse.com
Continuing we have an all gold shirt! Now gold is a very common component in jewelry, but this is too much. This shirt is one of a kind. It was created by order of Indian millionaire Datta Phuge, who was looking for the most luxurious status symbol. While some people choose beautiful cars or houses, this person has a real passion for gold. He shelled out $250,000 for the whopping 3,175 grams of this highly impractical shirt, and judging by his many photos, he's very proud of his decision.
This may seem like a complete waste of money, but it's actually not that bad since the shirt can easily be literally worth its weight in gold. It's quite an awkward thing, but it will definitely attract the attention of anyone who sees it.
5. Elizabeth Gold Coin - $1,000,000
photo: listverse.com
The Elizabeth gold coin is being rolled into the list. The Canadian Mint has gone the furthest by creating a massive (50 cm diameter, 3 cm thick and 100 kg) all-gold coin with a face value of one million dollars, but this is more for collectors. It was intended to be a one-of-a-kind coin, but due to its high popularity, only 5 copies were produced to satisfy demand.
Its initial purpose was not to sell, but to advertise the new 1 oz (28.35 g) Gold Maple Leaf bullion coins. But instead, the focus was on the coin itself. She is so impressive that she even broke the record! For obvious reasons, this coin holds the honorary title of the largest gold coin in the world.
4. Gold toilet paper - $1,300,000
photo: listverse.com
The next item is rather humorous because it is toilet paper! Costing $1.3 million per roll, toilet paper like this won't replace regular rolls anytime soon. Surprisingly, the manufacturing company claims that it is safe to use, but you would have to be a maniac not to show it off!
This takes luxury to a whole other level as it is definitely a disposable item, meaning once used it will be gone forever. Most gold items will last at least 10 years, as they should at such a high price, but this one stands apart from the rest. This item is only for the insanely rich and is definitely not something you should save up for. But hey! At least this roll comes with a "free" bottle of champagne!
3. Bugatti Veyron Diamond Ltd - $2,900,000
photo: listverse.com
Next up is the Bugatti Veyron toy car. As you probably know, anything with the word "Bugatti" in its name tends to be quite expensive, and this toy car keeps that trend going. For a measly $2.9 million, this meticulously detailed and beautiful miniature replica can be yours. The high price of a car is due to two main reasons: the manufacturing method and, of course, the material from which it is made.
The car is a 1:18 scale Bugatti Veyron, and the creation process took about 2 months. This is not a factory production, but rather a work of art in which authenticity is paramount. In addition to the masterful craftsmanship, the car also boasts of the material it was made of: it is made of solid gold with diamond accents, which certainly increased its value significantly. This item may be yours if you're a billionaire, but it probably isn't the best Christmas gift for your child.
2. 1933 Double Eagle Gold Coin - $10,000,000
photo: listverse.com
Next up is the 1933 Double Eagle gold $20 coin. At first glance it looks like an ordinary coin, but its true value comes from its rich history. This gold coin first appeared in 1933 and was originally supposed to be worth only $20, however, due to laws that prohibited "gold coin hoarding", almost all reserves of such coins were destroyed. Of the approximately 500,000 coins that were minted, only about 13 remain today. It was essentially a banned coin, so notoriety and scarcity contributed to its value.
This coin does not have a set price, so it is determined by the buyer himself. For this reason, the last transaction involving one of these coins was about $10 million. Paying $10 million for a $20 coin doesn't seem like a good deal, but for those who love coin collecting, it might be worth it. Although the average person looking for a $20 coin should probably just look for a job.
1. Gold iPhone 5 – $15,000,000
photo: listverse.com
This thing doesn't need much explanation - it's a gold iPhone! This item tests the limits of being able to decorate a gadget with a whopping $15 million worth of bling. This iPhone has quite an intricate design, with a solid gold body with hundreds of small diamonds encrusted on all sides, as well as on the Apple logo itself.
Taking things one step further, the elusive black diamond is the centerpiece of this majestic gadget. Although this smartphone is already quite old, being the 5th model, it still remains the first in the world among the most expensive smartphones. If anything, you can now say that you have a phone that performs better than a $15 million phone.
Investments in gold production
Some may find the returns from investing in ETFs to be insufficient and leveraged transactions to involve unacceptable risks. Such investors will probably be more suited to purchasing securities of gold mining companies.
This is only partly an investment in gold itself. By purchasing shares, an investor becomes the owner of a share in the business. Therefore, profitability here is determined not only by the price of gold, but also by the efficiency of enterprise management, which is also associated with certain risks.
Regular payment of dividends on shares can be a pleasant bonus. If a company is developing successfully, the value of its securities is growing against the backdrop of rising gold prices, and dividend payments are made regularly, then the profitability of such investments can significantly exceed the profit from investing directly in the precious metal.
How is the price of gold determined?
Gold is a protective anti-crisis asset. Therefore, increased interest in it from investors is observed during periods of unstable economy, development of inflationary processes and geopolitical tension. During such times, the price of gold can increase sharply. However, then, when the crisis recedes, the inevitable correction comes.
Another factor influencing the price of gold is the value of the key interest rate. By itself, the gold metal does not create new value; it only preserves the funds invested in it. Therefore, assets that are equally reliable and additionally provide capital growth are more attractive to investors. An example of such financial instruments is the so-called “treasuries” - government bonds of the United States of America.
The American dollar can partially perform the protective functions inherent in the precious metal. During periods of tighter monetary policy of the Federal Reserve System, many investors prefer the US national currency rather than the precious metal.
In practice, the price of gold rises when the key interest rate decreases, and falls when it rises. This dependence mechanism allows the Fed to influence the gold market without resorting to inflation.
However, it is impossible to put pressure on the price of gold indefinitely, since it is not able to fall below certain values close to the price of production of the precious metal. In addition, mining costs are increasing every year due to stricter environmental requirements and a decrease in the concentration of metal in the available volumes of gold-bearing rock.
Gold miners from South Africa are the most expensive to produce. One troy ounce of gold here requires an expenditure of $950. The cheapest production is in Russia. Here the price of production of one ounce is approximately $621.
If we take the ten largest gold mining companies in the world, their gold production price will range from $620 to $1,150.
In such harsh and unequal competitive conditions, enterprises that do not have sufficient efficiency are forced to leave the market.
