Gold is a rare precious metal that is soft and highly malleable. It has various industrial and decorative uses. The document outlines the processes for extracting gold from ore, including comminution, cyanidation, and carbon-in-pulp extraction. It also describes the process for making gold jewelry through wax carving, investment casting, burnout, and polishing the final casting. The price of gold fluctuates based on supply and demand factors, and carat refers to the purity of gold alloys.