Gold

Gold is one of the most famous metals in the world. It is soft, heavy, and has a bright yellow color. Gold does not rust or turn dark over time. People use it for jewelry, coins, and special prizes. It is found in rivers, mountains, and deep mines.

Finding Gold

Long ago, people found gold by looking in streams and rivers. This is called panning for gold. They would swirl water in a pan to wash away dirt and leave the heavy gold behind. In 1849, many people rushed to California to search for gold. This was called the Gold Rush. Today, most gold is dug out of big mines deep underground.

Why Gold Is Special

Gold is very rare, so it is worth a lot of money. It can be pounded into very thin sheets called gold leaf. This thin gold is used to decorate books, picture frames, and buildings. Gold is also used in some electronics like phones and computers. Olympic champions win gold medals as their top prize.

Fun Facts

• All the gold ever mined could fit into just a few swimming pools.
• Gold is so soft you can bend a pure gold bar with your hands.
• An Olympic gold medal is mostly silver with a thin coat of gold.

Did You Know?

Some people put real gold flakes on fancy food like ice cream and chocolate, and you can safely eat it.