About gold and gold history, Gold prices, Learn about the history of gold, These resources will help you learn all you need to know about gold history.

It is estimated that man first discovered gold around 5,000 years ago. The discovery, pursuit, possession, and trade of gold has impacted our society in many ways.

Gold is probably the first metal to be used by humans. Prehistoric man encountered gold in its free form when collecting water from riverbeds. Because of its attractive nature, gold was valued for ornaments and soon became associated with the sun god, the provider of light, warmth, and nutrition. As a result, gold was used to make religious objects that were used in early religious ceremonies. Archaeological digs suggest the use of Gold began in the Middle East where the first known civilizations began. The oldest pieces of gold jewelry Egyptian jewelry were found in the tomb of Queen Zer and that of Queen Pu-abi of Ur in Sumeria and are the oldest examples found of any kind of jewelry in a find from the third millennium BC.

The world’s largest producers of gold are South Africa, where the largest gold discovery ever occurred in 1886, the former Soviet Union, the United States, Australia, and Canada. Discoveries of gold have had a phenomenal impact during the 19th and 20th centuries. Increases in the supply of gold inflated the world’s currencies and eventually led to the adoption of the gold standard by most of the leading nations. While the gold standard has been abandoned by most, gold still remains one of the most valuable investments against economic downfall. Gold is accepted everywhere as a medium of exchange.

Pure (100%) gold is too soft, and is usually mixed with other metal alloys (silver, copper, nickel and zinc) to make it stronger and more durable for jewelry. Gold is always a welcome gift. Throughout the ages, gold has also played an important role as an expression of love and affection. The Sumerian Civilization is well known as the place where one of the first systems of writing was developed. There gold was used to make necklaces earrings, rings, bracelets and other ornaments as early as 2500. A gold jewelry item is more than an object of beauty or love, it is an asset of enduring value, which can be passed from one generation to the next. The natural beauty of gold along with its malleability, rich history, and high value has made it the world’s most important metal in jewelry.