Gold is an element in the periodic table. Its atomic symbol is Au and the atomic number is 79. It is a precious metal and is often used in jewelry. The metal occurs as nuggets or grains in rocks, in veins and in alluvial deposits. Gold is dense, soft, shiny and the most malleable and ductile pure metal known; a single gram can be beaten into a sheet of one square meter, or an ounce into 300 square feet. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without rusting in air or water.

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