Gold, chemical symbol "Au" (derived from "Aurum") is a yellow metal which has an ability to take and retain a long lasting lustre. It is extremely malleable and ductile. Gold being chemically inactive when pure doesn't oxidise in air. Due to its physical characteristics, gold can be compressed by hammering to incredible thinness. Its ductility and great tensile strength make it possible to draw it, without breaking, into wire of extremely fine section or gauge in long continuous lengths. Gold in its pure state is too soft for practical use. It is alloyed with other metals, so as to give it durability. Also alloying causes gold to take on different colours. The purity of gold is measured by karats (not to be confused with the carat, equaling a fifth of a gram, which is used to state the weight of a gemstone. Alloying and purity of gold is discussed under the topic of Alloys and Purity in this section in another page.

Gold is capable of withstanding great torsion (twist or torque) as is dramatically seen by its very early use for gold and bronze torques, twisted bars or wire neck ornaments worn during the ancient times. Gold can be used through electrolytic means to plate an inferior metal, thus giving it the appearance of gold.

The weight of gold is usually expressed in troy ounces. The table below provides scale between troy ounces and other units of weight.

Weight Equivalents