14 Interesting Facts About Gold

Gold, a shiny yellow metal, is not only attractive to eyes but has also been used over the years to reflect status and power. The word “gold” comes from the Old English word “geolu,” meaning yellow. In ancient times, when there was no money, there was Gold. It is the most popular and most extensively used metal across the world as it doesn’t tarnish or erode with time. Apart from this, here are some interesting facts that make gold stand out from other metals:
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1. Indians top the list here!

India’s love for gold has only grown stronger with time, which is why Indians account for most of the gold consumed worldwide. It is used for investment purposes as well as there is a lot of cultural value attached to it.
source: grabhouse.com, image: orangenews.hk

2. Gold will keep you cool

Gold is used in astronaut helmets and window glass as it reflects infrared rays while allowing sunlight to pass through, thus keeping it cool.
source: sbcgold.com, image: farm4.static.flickr.com

3. Dubai and its obsession with Gold!

After Dubai has been so infatuated with gold that in May 2010 the world’s first gold vending machine was installed here. The machine is covered in 24-karat gold and is in a super-luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi.
source: grabhouse.com, image: i2.cdn.turner.com

4. It came from the Outer Space

All the gold on earth we have mined today came from meteorites that crashed almost 4 billion years ago.
source: discovermagazine.com, image: news.bbcimg.co.uk

5. Rarest of the rare

One of the reasons why gold is so expensive is that it is so rare that the world pours more steel in an hour than it has poured gold ever since the beginning.
source: sbcgold.com

6. Plants have it too!

Small traces of gold have been found in Eucalyptus trees. The particles are too small to be seen with the naked eye but have been detected.
source: sci-news.com, image: ytimg.com

7. If you measure it in swimming pools

The total amount of gold ever mined in the world can fit into just 3 Olympic swimming pools.
source: factslides.com, image: pinimg.com

8. There are people who fear gold too

The fear of gold is known as Aurophobia. People suffering from Aurophobia usually develop panic attacks when uncovered to gold, or when they see gold.
source: phobiasource.com

9. The healing touch of gold

Gold is chemically liquefied and injected into the muscles. It can help cure cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. It is said that the treatment is successful in seven out of ten cases.
source: sbcgold.com, image: pinimg.com

10. Gold and Achievement

Gold has always been preferred over any other metal when it comes to rewarding with medals and trophies. This is because it is a symbol of achievement.
source: sciencekids.co.nz, image: dubai-awards.com

11. The most malleable of all

It is so malleable that an ounce of gold can be beaten out into a sheet that is 300 square feet. A sheet of gold can be made thin enough to be transparent.
source: chemistry.about.com, image: wonderwhizkids.com

12. So much gold in the ocean

Every cubic mile of sea water contains 25 tons of gold! That’s a total of about 10 billion tons of gold in the oceans. But there is no way to recover it.
source: sbcgold.com ,image: deviantart.net

13. An edible metal

Gold is considered non-toxic. Gold metal flakes may be eaten in foods or drinks. Some shops sell edible gold leaf and flakes and add glitter to everything. You don’t have to worry about what happens to your body after consuming gold as it isn’t digested and just passes right through.
source: livescience.com, image: bitrebels.com

14. And it is so soft!