George Eyser, a German-born athlete, competed in the 1904 Olympics with a prosthetic leg and won six medals in one day. Other amputees who competed in the Olympics include Olivér Halassy, Natalie du Toit, and Oscar Pistorius. American gymnast George Eyser was the first to compete in the Olympics wearing a prosthetic leg. In his […]
Olympic gold medals are mostly made of silver with gold plating and contain at least 0.21 ounces of gold. The composition varies, with the London 2012 medals containing 6% copper, 93% silver, and 1.34% gold. The shape and size of medals have changed over time. Contrary to what most people think, Olympic gold medals are […]
Around 50 million ounces of gold are mined annually, fitting into a 14-foot cube and weighing 3.1 million pounds. The US produced 529,109 pounds of gold in 2007, while China became the world’s largest producer with 608,476 pounds. South Africa has been the top producer for 101 years. Only about 50 million troy ounces of […]
Gold refineries process impure gold to generate pure gold for sale or alloy it with other metals. The process involves smelting, refining, and assaying the gold. Some refineries buy lots outright, while others pay based on the value of the assay. Environmentally conscious refineries control waste and use non-toxic materials. A gold refinery receives gold […]
Gold mining uses different techniques, from simple panning to hard rock mining with pickaxes. Panning is the best-known but produces the fewest results. Tourist attractions recreate the experience. Hard rock mining is serious and involves chipping away at rock. Other techniques involve cradles or crushing quartz with machinery or animal labor. Gold mining can use […]
Gold mining involves various methods to extract gold from its raw state in gold ore, including physical force, heat exposure, or chemical means. Gold is found in soil, alluvial deposits, and rocks, and is recovered through methods such as placer mining, dredging, and hard rock mining. New technologies have made it possible to recover gold […]
Gold cyanidation is a process that uses cyanide to dissolve gold from ore. It is controversial due to its poisonous nature and environmental risks. The process involves grinding the ore and using cyanide to extract the gold, which is then removed in liquid form. Pre-processing may be required to ensure effective extraction. The process can […]
Gold anodizing is a process that coats base metals to produce a golden color. Anodizing creates an oxide film on the metal in an electrolytic solution. The process can be performed on various base metals, and gold color can be produced using different methods, including organic and inorganic. Anodizing also protects the metal from corrosion […]
Gold sputtering is a process of depositing a thin, uniform layer of gold on a surface using a special device and controlled conditions. It is commonly used in the electronics industry and sciences, and can be used to coat circuit boards and other objects. The process requires pure sources of gold and a clean room […]
Gold plating is a process of adding a thin layer of gold to another metal for a gold-like appearance, commonly used in jewelry and electronics. It can be done through electroplating or brushing gold metal onto the item. Gold plating is a low-cost alternative to solid gold, but the layer may wear off over time […]
Gold smelting separates metal from ore through chemical reactions and high temperatures. The process has been used since early human development, and modern facilities carefully assess ore quality and control pollution. The resulting metal is refined to remove impurities and can be alloyed for specific traits. Gold smelting is a metallurgical process used to separate […]
Traditional gold plating solutions contain cyanide, but alternatives like gold nitrides and mechanical plating exist. The plating method and solution used depends on the intended use of the component. Nitride-based solutions are cheaper and more durable than traditional plating, without toxic elements. Research continues to find eco-friendly options. The gilding solution has typically been composed […]
White gold is an alloy of gold and at least one other white metal, making it durable and attractive for jewelry. Its carat rating depends on the type of metal used. It’s commonly used for jewelry items and is often treated with rhodium for protection. Created by combining gold with at least one other white […]
White gold is an alloy of gold and at least one other white metal, making it durable and attractive for jewelry. Its carat rating depends on the type of metal used, and it is often used for earrings, necklaces, and rings. The properties of white gold vary depending on the metals used, and it is […]
Rose gold is an alloy of gold and copper, with higher copper content producing red gold and higher gold content producing pink or rose gold. Silver can also be added to alter the color. Crown Gold is a high percentage of gold and low percentage of copper, while red gold is commonly used in jewelry […]
Gold electroplating involves bonding a thin layer of gold to an object using an electrolyte solution containing dissolved gold compounds and catalyst chemicals. The object is connected to the cathode and anodes, made of metal, are immersed in the solution. The process takes a few minutes and thicker layers may take longer. To prevent the […]
The Golden Spike was a ceremonial railroad spike used to celebrate the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. It was driven into the last rail siding and replaced with a regular one. The spike is now on display at Stanford University and has been commemorated on Utah’s state quarter. The Golden Spike was a […]
The Yukon Gold Rush began in 1896 when gold was discovered, attracting over 40,000 people to the Yukon. It led to the creation of Yukon Territory and the construction of the White Pass Railroad. Many attempted the journey but less than half reached their goal. Few became rich and the rush ended in 1899 when […]
The Klondike Gold Rush occurred in the late 19th century after gold was discovered near the Klondike River in Canada’s Yukon Territory. An estimated 25,000 to 40,000 prospectors rushed to the area, causing a famine. The Golden Spike Monument now stands as a memorial to the rush. The Klondike Gold Rush refers to the frantic […]
The California Gold Rush began in 1848 when gold was discovered in the hills of California. It attracted an estimated 300,000-500,000 migrants, known as the Forty-Niners, who sought their fortune. The event made California’s fortunes and established new communities, but also had negative consequences such as environmental damage and violence. Advanced mining techniques were needed […]
