Gold (Au) is a dense, lustrous, yellow, and precious chemical element . It is found in group 11 (Ib), period 6 of the periodic table. Gold is visually pleasing, workable, doesn't corrode or tarnish, and was one of the first metals to attract human attention. Because of its unique qualities, gold is universally accepted in exchange for goods and services. Key properties of gold: * Atomic number: 79 * Atomic weight: 196.96657 * Melting point: 1,063 °C (1,945 °F) * Boiling point: 2,966 °C (5,371 °F) * Specific gravity: 19.3 at 20 °C (68 °F) * Oxidation states: +1, +3 * Electron configuration: [Xe]4f¹⁴5d¹⁰6s¹

What does gold look like?

Gold (Au) is a dense, lustrous, yellow, and precious metal. Its color stems from its electronic structure, which causes it to absorb electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths less than 5600 angstroms while reflecting wavelengths greater than that—the wavelength of yellow light. Because it is visually pleasing, workable, doesn't corrode or tarnish, and is extremely malleable and ductile, gold was one of the first metals to attract human attention. Gold is frequently alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness for use in jewelry, goldware, or coinage because pure gold is too soft to withstand prolonged handling.

Where is gold found in nature?

Gold is created through cosmic and geological processes. It can be found in different types of deposits: Alluvial deposits Weathering breaks down gold-bearing rocks, releasing gold particles that water transports and deposits in riverbeds, streambeds, and floodplains. Alluvial stream deposits have been a source of gold in many Asian countries, such as Myanmar, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Hydrothermal veins Gold is carried up from deep within the Earth with other minerals in an aqueous solution and later precipitates in hydrothermal veins. Endogenetic deposits Gold is finely disseminated within sulfide minerals, like pyrite and pyrrhotite. Gold is widespread in low concentrations in all igneous rocks, with its abundance in the Earth’s crust estimated at about 0.005 part per million.

Why has gold been valuable to humans throughout history?

Throughout history, gold has been valuable to humans for a number of reasons. Gold is visually appealing, workable, resists corrosion and tarnish, and is the most malleable and ductile of all elements. For these reasons, it was one of the first metals to attract human attention. Gold has been universally accepted in exchange for goods and services. It has served as backing for paper-currency systems and is still accepted by all nations as a medium of international payment. Gold also retains an intrinsic, stable value better than anything else. Because pure gold is too soft, it is usually alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness for use in jewelry, goldware, or coinage. Gold was often held in awe as the symbol of divinity and was the material of choice for religious objects.

What are some important uses of gold today?

Today, gold is valued for a variety of reasons, and it sees use across a number of applications: Reserve asset Gold is held by governments and central banks as a reserve asset and is accepted as a means of international payment. Jewelry and goldware Gold is a favored material for crafting jewelry and other decorative objects. It is often alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness. Electronics Because of its high electrical conductivity and inertness, gold is used in the electric and electronics industry for plating contacts, terminals, printed circuits, and semiconductor systems. Fine gold or copper wiring is used to carry electric current to and from the many pads along the sides or ends of a microchip to other components on a circuit board. Temperature control Thin films of gold are employed on satellites to control temperature and on space-suit visors to afford protection. Gold is similarly used on the windows of large office buildings to reduce air-conditioning requirements. Dental applications Gold has been used for fillings and other repairs to teeth.

What are the physical and chemical properties that make gold unique as an element?

Gold (Au) stands out due to its unique combination of physical and chemical properties. Its distinctive yellow color arises from its electronic structure, which causes it to absorb electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths less than 5600 angstroms, but reflects wavelengths greater than 5600 angstroms. Gold is exceptionally durable, resisting corrosion and tarnishing. It is one of the most malleable and ductile of all elements. Chemically, gold is one of the least reactive transition elements, not affected by oxygen or sulfur. It can, however, dissolve in solutions containing cyanide because of the formation of stable dicyanoaurate ions. Gold has oxidation states of +1 and +3, with +3 being more common.

gold

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A diagram showing the periodic table entry for gold, with the symbol Au, atomic number 79, atomic weight 196.96657, electron configuration, and labels for its properties as a solid transition metal with a face-centered cubic crystal structure.

Several gold nuggets, flakes, and dust scattered on a dark surface.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia: gold mine

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At a Glance

gold summary

gold

chemical element

Also known as: Au, aurum

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 13, 2026 •History

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gold (Au), chemical element, a dense lustrous yellow precious metal of Group 11 (Ib), Period 6, of the periodic table of the elements. Gold has several qualities that have made it exceptionally valuable throughout history. It is attractive in colour and brightness, durable to the point of virtual indestructibility, highly malleable, and usually found in nature in a comparatively pure form. The history of gold is unequaled by that of any other metal because of its perceived value from earliest times.

Element Properties
atomic number	79
atomic weight	196.96657
melting point	1,063 °C (1,945 °F)
boiling point	2,966 °C (5,371 °F)
specific gravity	19.3 at 20 °C (68 °F)
oxidation states	+1, +3
electron configuration	[Xe]4f¹⁴5d¹⁰6s¹