How is Gold Made?

By Tim Schmidt - UPDATED: February 8, 2025

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Have you ever wondered, "How is gold formed?" It's a fascinating process that provides us with the shiny, sought-after metal we all know and love. In this article, we will walk you through the process of how gold is made in nature and talk about how it can be synthesized in a lab. Let's get started!

How Is Gold Formed in the Earth?

Gold's Journey: From Space to Earth

Did you know that the gold-making process occurs over millions of years? All the gold in the world likely comes from outside our planet.

Stars Produce Elements, Which Are Sent to the Earth

Our story of how gold deposits come to be begins with stars or supernovas that explode to produce a myriad of heavy elements.

They are then incorporated into commets and are hurled to the Earth's surface. As the crust shifts over time, these elements are deposited into our planet's core.

These Elements Undergo Changes in the Earth

Given the immense pressure and high temperatures that they are exposed to beneath the Earth's crust, these elements are transformed. The by-products of this process (known as irradiation) include precious metals and gold atoms, which are formed over millions of years.

Gold Mining Is Needed to Refine the Gold

The reality is that acquiring gold is no easy process. Gold mining is required to extract these metals from the Earth.

Gold-bearing rocks also often include copper and silver, and gold deposits are often formed in one place. These areas are typically referred to as "placer deposits," "veins," or "lodes."

The Rarity of Gold

Well, if you had to dig around in the dirt, you would not likely find this precious metal. That's because gold deposits are rare, which contributes to the high value of this asset.

Because of this, many manufacturers produce "gold-like" products. Gold-filled jewelry, for example, contains gold, but the metal is combined with others to produce a cheaper product. In a similar manner, gold-plated jewelry contains another type of metal, allowing you to enjoy the luster of real gold without the high price tag.

How Is Gold Created? | What We Know

How Is Gold Created

To summarize, here's what we know about how gold forms:

  • The process likely begins with neutron star collisions.
  • Gold forms naturally beneath the Earth's crust because of high pressure and temperatures in the Earth's core.
  • The metal is mined in the form of gold ore, which contains a wide range of elements.
  • There are only a few gold mines around the world, which is a testament to the rarity of this precious metal.
  • The ore is then refined, and all other minerals and elements are removed to produce pure gold.
  • Gold found naturally is valuable because of its rarity.
  • The metal occurs in a number of different geological settings, such as quartz veins.

Where Does Gold Occur?

Percentage of Gold Production

As we have discussed already, natural gold is found around the world. However, 80% of all gold comes from South Africa. Gold is an element with the symbol "Au," and its atomic number is 79.

A Note About Iron Ore

It's important to remember that in a gold mine, you won't find the shiny metal you are accustomed to seeing. Instead, you'll likely find gold deposits in the form of ore, which contain rocks and minerals that can be refined to produce gold.

Gold Has Been Around Since Ancient Times

If you study history, you will likely notice that it was used in a number of ways in ancient times. From jewelry to idols for worship, this element has captivated mankind for centuries. Historians believe that the ancient Egyptians were the first to discover gold in 3100 BCE.

Synthesized Gold

Synthesized Gold

Now that you understand how natural gold is formed in the Earth, let's talk about whether it can be made synthetically. After all, many elements have been produced artificially in a lab setting.

Although gold can be created in a laboratory, it's important to note that it is not as easy as one might think. Since 1960, only a few micrograms of this valuable element have been created artificially.

To conduct this process, gold (III) fluoride is reduced using a calcium metal. A high vacuum and temperatures as high as 1382°F are required, making it a difficult and costly endeavor.

Final Thoughts

Gold is perhaps one of the most sought-after assets in history. Studying its formation can help you form a new appreciation for it. With a long, rich history, it continues to captivate the hearts (and wealth) of investors around the world.

In this article, we answered the question, "How is gold made in nature?" If you would like to learn more about this precious metal, then we invite you to browse our website for exciting news on gold coins, bars, and more.

Tim Schmidt

About 

Tim Schmidt is an Entrepreneur and Serial Investor. Since 2012 he's been an advocate of alternative investments using a Self Directed IRA. His work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, USA Today, Business Insider, and Tech Times, among others. Get his portfolio breakdown here.

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