Are gold medals really gold?

vc_row] vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-9 vc_col-md-9″ css=”.vc_custom_1452702342137{padding-right: 45px !important;}”] vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”no_stripe”] stm_post_details] vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1649522715622{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]The important thing is to participate. Yet, athletes and sportsmen like to proudly show off their gold medals. But are gold medals really made of gold? Not really. Could there be deception? GOLDMARKET tells you more about the true composition of gold medals.

A Brief History of the Gold Medal

Traditionally associated with the Olympic Games, the gold medal has a relatively recent history. The first sports medals date back to 1896. At the time, there were only two types: silver medals and bronze medals. The gold medal made its appearance in 1904. Until 1912, Olympic champions received real gold medals, that is, made of 100% gold. But since then, another alloy has been preferred: vermeil. In other words, silver covered in gold.

Gold medals not really gold

At the 2020 Summer Games, more than 300 gold medals were awarded to the best athletes. It seems obvious that awarding gold medals would be far too expensive. Incidentally, the Nobel Prize winners have also been choosing silver gilt for several decades now. In reality, the gold medals are therefore made of 99% solid silver.

The remaining small percentage is indeed a thin layer of gold. We should therefore speak of gold-plated medals, although the symbolism of the ultimate reward would be much less strong. To complete the podium, let us specify that the silver medal is indeed composed of 100% solid silver. As for the bronze medals, it is a composition of red brass, the name given to a mixture of metals obtained by combining zinc and copper.

Gold medals: the Committee is watching

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set a number of rules to govern the composition and format of gold medals. For example, they must measure at least 60 millimeters in diameter.

In addition, their thickness must be at least 3 millimeters. To be considered as such, a gold medal must contain at least 92,5% silver. In the best case scenario, the gold composition does not exceed 7,5%. In reality, it is rarely more than 1 to 2%. Since most gold medals contain 99% solid silver, the IOC guidelines are well respected. /vc_column_text] stm_post_bottom] stm_post_about_author] stm_post_comments] stm_spacing lg_spacing=”80″ md_spacing=”80″ sm_spacing=”30″ xs_spacing=”20″] /vc_column] vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”] vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” el_class=”third_bg_color” css=”.vc_custom_1451889219674{margin-bottom: -60px !important;}”] vc_column width=”2/3″] vc_cta h2=”Des questions? Contact our experts GOLDMARKET” h2_font_container=”font_size:20px|color:%23333333|line_height:24px” h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” add_button=”right” btn_title=”01 82 83 62 63″ btn_style=”flat” btn_color=”theme_style_2″ btn_size=”lg” btn_align=”right” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”stm-phone-11″ use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” btn_button_block=”true” btn_add_icon=”true” el_class=”third_bg_color” css=”.vc_custom_1588428332984{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}” btn_link=”url:tel%3A0182836263|title:T%C3%A9l%C3%A9phone%20GOLDMARKET||”] /vc_cta] /vc_column] vc_column width=”1/3″] vc_cta h2=”” h2_font_container=”font_size:20px|color:%23333333|line_height:24px” h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” add_button=”right” btn_title=”Contact Us” btn_style=”flat” btn_color=”theme_style_2″ btn_size=”lg” btn_align=”left” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”far fa-envelope” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” btn_add_icon=”true” el_class=”third_bg_color” css=”.vc_custom_1588428405657{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldmarket.fr%2Fnous-contacter%2F|title:Nous%20Contacter||”] /vc_cta]