The allure of gold has captured the human imagination and inspired legends throughout history, from the ancient Egyptians, who encased their dead in gold, to the Greek legend of Midas, who turned all he touched to gold. This book examines all aspects of this metal, from its scientific properties and minerology, to the myths that surround it and the history of its exploitation. It describes the geological processes that form gold deposits, where they occur and the practicalities of extraction.

Table of Contents

Properties of gold; physical properties; mineralogy of gold; where gold is found; how gold accumulates; in metamorphic rocks; in ancient sediments; in sedimentary rocks; associated with volcanoes; geological overview; exploration; exploitation; extraction; mining and the environment; the gold rushes; gold in US/Europe; gold in antiquity; gold as a commodity; gold and greed; ornament and jewellry; technology and medicine; goldsmiths, hallmarks and assaying; lore, myths and fantasy.