Gold has held an enduring allure for thousands of years. This precious metal has remained a symbol of elegance and wealth. Scientists have discovered how it stays in such pristine condition and never loses its shine. Researchers from Tulane University in New Orleans found that gold does not rust or change colour because of the structure of atoms on its surface. Dr Matthew Montemore wrote that the atoms naturally rearrange themselves into unique zigzag patterns that minimize chemical reactions with oxygen. He said: "This makes the gold much more resistant to oxidation." As a result, it does not become discoloured, even after centuries of exposure to the elements.

A low level of reactivity to oxygen is called chemical nobility. Gold is the most noble of all metals. Its resistance to bonding with oxygen means it maintains its shininess for thousands of years. It is also one of the most malleable metals, which means it can easily be hammered into thin sheets. Gold can be beaten to a thickness of less than 0.1 micrometres — a hundred times thinner than a human hair. Its pure form is why humans have used gold for jewellery and currency for more than 5,000 years. It also has important uses in electronics, dentistry, spacecraft technology, and medicine. The researchers believe it will continue to be integral in industrial applications.