Gold is dense, soft, shiny and the most malleable pure metal known. Hense the common practice of alloying it with other metals to give it strength and longevity. For centuries gold has been highly valued, especially for jewelry.

In medieval times, gold was often seen as beneficial for the health, in the belief that something that rare and beautiful could not be anything but healthy. Even some modern forms of alternative medicine assign metallic gold a healing power.

Gold has had a place thoughout history. From Native Americans, Europe, Asia, Aftrica. The legend of the golden fleece may refer to the use of fleeces to trap gold dust from placer deposits in the ancient world. Gold has long been considered the most desirable of precious metals.