Origin of Gold: where did earth's gold come from?

Gold has been valued by humans since ancient times, with its brilliance, natural beauty, and resistance to tarnishing making it a desirable metal for jewelry, currency, and other purposes.

But, where did it come from?

Scientists believe that gold, along with other heavy elements, is formed during the cataclysmic explosions of massive stars called supernovae.

The formation of gold in these events is thought to occur through a process called the "r-process" (rapid neutron capture).

After these events, gold atoms are dispersed into space and become part of the raw materials that eventually form planets.

During the formation of Earth, a large portion of the gold present in the early Earth sank into the planet's core.

Some scientists believe that a significant portion of Earth's gold arrived via meteorite bombardment.

Gold is found in various types of deposits, including hydrothermal veins (where it is associated with quartz and pyrite) and placer deposits (derived from the weathering of gold-bearing rocks).