Gold is a highly valued, naturally occurring precious metal known for its distinct yellow color, malleability, and resistance to corrosion. It has been used for thousands of years for various purposes, including currency, jewelry, art, and in modern applications such as electronics and medicine.

Gold is typically found in its native form in nature, often as nuggets or grains in rocks, riverbeds, and alluvial deposits. It is extracted through mining processes, including placer mining, which involves separating gold from sand and gravel, and hard rock mining, where the gold is embedded in rock and extracted through more complex techniques like cyanidation or smelting.

Gold is one of the most ductile and malleable metals, meaning it can be shaped into thin sheets or wires without breaking. Due to its scarcity and enduring value, gold is often used as a store of wealth and a hedge against inflation. Major gold producers include countries like China, Australia, and South Africa.