When most people think of gold, they picture glittering jewelry or shiny coins — symbols of wealth and beauty prized for thousands of years. But gold’s appeal stretches well beyond adornment and currency. In fact, its unique properties make it surprisingly useful in a wide range of industries today. Could this gleaming metal be one of the most versatile resources in our modern world?
While most gold purchases center around coins and jewelry—due to their high gold content and ease of resale—there are many other surprising places this metal turns up.
Gold in Technology
Gold is an exceptional conductor of electricity and doesn’t corrode, making it ideal for delicate electronic components. It’s soft, easy to shape, and holds up well in environments where corrosion could otherwise be a problem.
That’s why small traces of gold can be found inside smartphones, GPS devices, TVs, computers, and even basic calculators. A typical phone may contain around 50 cents’ worth of gold—not enough to make you rich, but proof that your gadgets are holding onto more than just data.
While extracting gold from electronics isn’t usually profitable for individuals, it’s a great reminder to recycle electronics responsibly. Even tiny amounts of gold are worth preserving.
Gold in Healthcare
Gold isn’t just for teeth bling — though dental use is one of its oldest medical roles, dating back over four millennia. Gold alloys are commonly used for crowns and bridges because they are durable and well-tolerated by the human body.
In modern medicine, gold is found in devices like pacemakers, stents, and other implants, thanks to its biocompatibility. The body rarely reacts negatively to gold, making it a safe option for long-term use inside humans.
Just don’t get any wild ideas—harvesting gold from medical devices or donated bodies is both unethical and impractical.
Gold in Creative Expression
Jewelry aside, gold has long been a prized medium in the art world. Artists have used it in paintings, mosaics, sculptures, and even building decoration. Typically, they use gold leaf or gold foil rather than solid gold—partly for affordability and partly for flexibility in design.
Art that incorporates gold has often been backed by wealthy patrons or institutions like churches, as the material cost signified status and reverence. Using gold in art was both an aesthetic and symbolic choice.
Selling Gold: What You Should Know
Where and how to sell gold depends heavily on the type and amount you have. For example, a painting with gold leaf may fetch value at a gallery, while gold-containing electronics are better suited to a pawnshop or recycler.
It’s important to note that most “cash for gold” operations won’t be interested in the trace amounts found in tech gadgets. These services prefer easily measurable, pure gold like jewelry, coins, or bullion.
