Gold was discovered in its most basic and natural state – in streams and in the ground of the ancient world – and gold
is one of the first precious metals known to mankind. As a natural response to its beauty and rarity, gold became a
symbol of royalty and glamour in nearly every culture that was able to obtain it. Its brilliance and resistance to
tarnish made the precious metal an ideal jewellery-making commodity, and eventually a viable currency.
About 244,000 metric tons of gold has been discovered to date. Most of that gold has come from just three countries: China, Australia and
South Africa.
Throughout history, gold has been treasured for its natural beauty and radiance. For this reason, many cultures have
imagined gold to represent the sun.