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Coupled with aesthetic attractiveness and rarity, gold’s physical properties have given gold and items made from it, an unparalleled place in human history. Gold is so malleable and ductile that even primitive tools can work it to a high level of detail. It is fairly easily “pressure welded”, which is to say that two small pieces can be pounded together to make one larger piece, similar to clay. Gold is a noble metal— it does not react with most elements. That means it is usually found in its native form, that it will last virtually forever without oxidization and tarnishing, and that it is easily melted, fused and cast without the problems of oxides and gas that are problematic with bronzes, for example. Throughout history, people have found its lustre and color to be aesthetically pleasing. Since prehistoric times, mankind has been able to simply pick up gold off the ground, and anyone with two rocks would be able to form it into some pleasing or useful item. A major part of that history has been played by those who work in gold: goldsmiths. It has been said that goldsmithing is the only art which uses some aspect of all other arts. Thus a fully realized goldsmith might have a wide array of skills and knowledge at their disposal. Gold, being the most malleable metal of all, offers unique opportunities for the worker. In today’s world a wide variety of other metals, especially platinum alloys, may also be used extensively. 24 karat gold is generally called fine gold, and …

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