Gold is a universal symbol of wealth and stature.  Gold has brilliance and permanence and is thought of as the highest standard of status. Gold has been used for centuries as money and jewelry. 

The use of gold for ornamentation has been done throughout history through many cultures.  Gold is a precious metal and has to be mined and formed into shape. It was used for rituals as well.  Going back as far as possible, gold was described in Egyptian hieroglyphics where it was quite plentiful.  Egyptians used gold to adorn themselves as well as to honor their dead.  Elaborate funeral masks were made of gold for their leaders.  Their tombs are filled with gold items showing that it was a symbol of power and status even then. Gold coins were used as early as 630 BC.

The Bible mentions gold as included in the gifts of the magi.  Many other civilizations used gold as adornment and prestige.  The early Incas and people of Peru, Central America and Columbia used gold to ornament themselves as a symbol of power and wealth.  Gold medals and statues are given to honor top achievements in the modern world.

Throughout history gold has become synonymous with power and wealth.  Gold is a naturally forming mineral that is present in many countries where it is still mined.  When word that gold was found prospectors clamored to get to the area.  The gold rush of 1849 in California is the most profound example of this.  Several miners discovered gold in 1848.  Word spread so fast and far that by 1848 there were thousands of miners from all over the world digging for gold in the California hills. By 1850, however, the easiest portion of gold to mine was gone.

Gold mines are still in production today around the world. The problem with gold mining is that most of the mines hold very low concentrations of gold.  This causes the need for greater mining and extraction costs, which in turn brings up the cost of gold.

Gold by itself is often too soft for practical use as jewelry or coins. It is usually used as an alloy with other metals that are harder such as silver or copper.  The gold content of jewelry is measured in carats (k).  Pure gold is designated as 24k gold. Gold is more commonly combined with other metals, however, forming lower measurements such as 22k, 18k, 14k and 10k.  The lower the number of carats, the less the amount of gold in the metal. 

White gold is gold mixed with alloys that are light in color such as silver, nickel and zinc and is usually 18 carat gold.  White gold is often used in place of sterling silver because it is more durable and less likely to corrode. 

The price of gold continues to fluctuate on a steady increase in value.  Gold jewelry or gold bars become worth more each year.   Wealthy investors often purchase gold bars because their value is sure to increase faster than some other investments.