Wikipedia: Gold

Due to its relative chemical inertness, gold occurs as the native metal, usually as minute flakes in some minerals alluvial deposits where the original ore bed has eroded, but occasionally as large nuggets.

Gold has long been considered one of the most precious metals, if not the most beautiful, and its value has been used as the standard for many currencies (known as the [gold standard]?)in history. Most competitions award a gold medal? to the winner, silver to the second, and bronze to the third.

Like silver, gold can form a hard amalgam? with mercury, and is sometimes used for [dental filling]?s, The high electrical conductivity and resistance to oxidation of gold has led to its widespead use as thin layers electroplated? on the surface of electrical connectors to ensure a good, low resistance connection.