Why Are Humans Obsessed With Gold?
Gold is beautiful, gold is valuable, and gold will always be desirable. We know these as truths — but, how did this come to be? With so many other kinds of precious metals and materials naturally available, why have we developed such affinity for gold out of all of them? Keep reading for reasons why humans are obsessed with gold and how you can start investing in gold today.
Gold as a Material
On a practical level, gold is a unique material. Its natural properties set itself up to be the perfect material to be used for currency, jewelry, and everything in between. It is durable yet workable and is naturally available, which adds to its excitement and desirability factor.
Durable, Yet Workable
Gold is naturally corrosion-resistant, which means that it will not be destroyed by outside elements like copper, aluminum, and steel do. This is important when it comes to currency because the last thing you want is for your money to become damaged or to dissipate. Gold coins or jewelry that have been dropped into the ocean or buried in the ground will be just as sparkly and beautiful centuries later when they are found, as evidenced by 6,000 years of archaeological finds.
As durable and corrosion-resistant as gold is, it is also very workable. Gold’s physical properties, which are distinguishable from any other substance, include:
- Ductility: It can be beaten into extremely thin sheets of gold leaf, the most out of any metal
- Malleability: Capable of being shaped or bent, the most out of any metal
- Conductivity: Good electrical conductor
- Solubility: Ability to be dissolved
- Density: It is a dense metal
- Melting point: Gold melts at 1065°C
All of these properties make it the perfect candidate for a durable currency, beautiful jewelry that will last forever, and something that is very reliable for the world’s economy.
Naturally Available
Gold is a natural element that can be potentially found by anybody. This excitability factor of coming across gold is another reason why humans are obsessed with it — striking gold can make you very rich, and who doesn’t like the sound of that? Gold miners as a profession still exist today, and there is a long history behind the practice.
When mining for gold, water needs to be added to the extracted dirt. In the water and dirt mixture, the gold will sink to the bottom (as it is a heavy metal) and the gravel will rise to the top. This can be done on a small scale such as with a gold pan, or with a large-scale mining operation using heavy machinery.
Gold’s Sparkling History
Another reason humans are obsessed with gold is simple: it is sparkly and beautiful. Who doesn’t love to look at something sparkly and beautiful, moreover to own it?
Human use of gold can be traced back 6,000 years. When workmen began digging a ditch in the town of Varna, Bulgaria in 1972, they stumbled upon “Varna Necropolis” – hundreds of tombs, many holding a fantastic array of gold bracelets, necklaces, and scepters dating back to the 5th millennium BC. It’s the oldest gold treasure ever found.
Gold is also well-known for holding spiritual significance in Ancient Egypt because, according to the British Museum, gold was connected with the sun god Ra who had flesh of pure gold. Then, all throughout the rest of history, gold has been used to adorn important and wealthy people, elevating it and a status symbol that has carried through to the present time.
Rare + Expensive = Desired
With as much gold jewelry, coins, bars, and more floating around the world, it can be surprising to hear that gold is actually pretty rare. In the simplest terms, the world produces a cube of gold that is about 4.3 meters (about 14 feet) on each side every year. When you picture it this way, it is easy to see that there isn’t much being produced every year, adding to human’s love and obsession for obtaining it.
However, gold is not the rarest metal — that honor goes to platinum. All of the platinum in the world would fit in a cube that is 6.3 meters (about 20 feet) on a side. In other words, all of the platinum in the entire world would easily fit in the average home.
About Priority Gold
The many reasons that humans are obsessed with gold are also the many reasons that humans love to own it and invest in it. The more desirable gold is, the more valuable it becomes as an investment. If you are ready to invest in gold, Priority Gold is one of the most trusted precious metals dealers in the United States with BBB A+ Rating, AAA Rating with Business Consumer Alliance, and 5 Stars Rating with TrustLink.
We specialize in providing precious metals investment services with Security, Liability, and Great Convenience for customers. Our team is committed to helping to streamline their precious metals purchases at a fair price, selecting the right precious metals portfolios, and meeting their important financial objectives.
We offer Free Storage for qualifying Gold & Silver IRA accounts, a fast & easy gold buying process, and smooth IRA Transfer. And gold shows up on schedule. Priority Gold guarantees the highest standards of customer service, which comes with honesty, professional conduct, and the Ethical Code of Business.
For more information, visit us at prioritygold.com
