GOLD 

Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and atomic number 79. It is a highly sought-after precious metal in jewelry, in sculpture, and for ornamentation since the beginning of recorded history. The metal occurs as nuggets or grains in rocks, in veins and in alluvial deposits. Gold is dense, soft, shiny and the most malleable and ductile pure metal known. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without rusting in air or water. It is one of the coinage metals and formed the basis for the gold standard used before the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in 1971.

GOLD APPLICATIONS

• Medium of monetary exchange
• Jewelry
  
• Medicine
• Dental applications
• Food and drink
  
• Textile Industry
  
• Electronics
  
• Photography applications
• Space exploration

WHY INVEST IN GOLD

Of all metals, gold is the most popular as an investment.  Investors will usually buy gold as a hedge or safe haven during economic, political, social of currency based crises.  Examples could be investment market declines, inflation, war and social unrest.  Investors will also buy gold to gain financially during periods of increasing gold prices.

HOW TO INVEST IN GOLD 

• Mining companies
• Gold bars and coins
• Exchange Traded Funds (ETF)
• Gold certificates
• Derivatives
• Gold accounts