Gold vs. Tungsten — What's the Difference?

Often alloyed with other metals to increase hardness for jewelry use.

Used to make filaments for light bulbs and electronic devices.

Known for its excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

Known for having the highest melting point of all metals.

A precious metal used extensively in jewelry and investments.

Increasingly used in jewelry for its durability and unique look.

Gold is mined and refined from ore deposits.

Sourced primarily from mineral ores like scheelite and wolframite.

Historically used as a standard for monetary systems.

Tungsten carbide is an important industrial material.

Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from Latin: aurum) and atomic number 79, making it one of the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally. In a pure form, it is a bright, slightly reddish yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal.

Tungsten, or wolfram, is a chemical element with the symbol W and atomic number 74. Tungsten is a rare metal found naturally on Earth almost exclusively as compounds with other elements.

A yellow precious metal, the chemical element of atomic number 79, used especially in jewellery and decoration and to guarantee the value of currencies.

A hard, brittle, corrosion-resistant, gray to white metallic element extracted from wolframite, scheelite, and other minerals, having the highest melting point and lowest vapor pressure of any metal. Tungsten and its alloys are used in high-temperature structural materials and wear-resistant tools and machine parts; in electrical elements, notably lamp filaments; and in instruments requiring thermally compatible glass-to-metal seals. Atomic number 74; atomic weight 183.84; melting point 3,422°C; boiling point 5,555°C; specific gravity 19.3 (20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Also called wolfram. See Periodic Table.

A deep lustrous yellow or yellow-brown colour

A rare metallic chemical element (symbol W, from Latin wolframium) with an atomic number of 74.

Coins or other articles made of gold

A light bulb containing tungsten.

The bullseye of an archery target.

Scheelite, calcium tungstate

Symbol Au A soft, yellow, corrosion-resistant element, the most malleable and ductile metal, occurring in veins and alluvial deposits and recovered by mining, panning, or sluicing. A good thermal and electrical conductor, gold is generally alloyed to increase its strength, and it is used as a common monetary standard, in jewelry, for decoration, and as a plated coating on a wide variety of electrical and mechanical components. Atomic number 79; atomic weight 196.967; melting point 1,064.2°C; boiling point 2,856.0°C; specific gravity 19.3; valence 1, 3. See Periodic Table.

A rare element of the chromium group found in certain minerals, as wolfram and scheelite, and isolated as a heavy steel-gray metal which is very hard and infusible. It has both acid and basic properties. When alloyed in small quantities with steel, it greatly increases its hardness. Symbol W (Wolframium). Atomic weight, 183.6. Specific gravity, 18.

Coinage made of this element.

Scheelite, or calcium tungstate.

A gold standard.

A heavy gray-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite

Money; riches.

A light olive-brown to dark yellow, or a moderate, strong to vivid yellow.

Something regarded as having great value or goodness

A medal made of gold awarded to one placing first in a competition, as in the Olympics

Having the color of gold.

(uncountable) A heavy yellow elemental metal of great value, with atomic number 79 and symbol Au.

A coin or coinage made of this material, or supposedly so.

(uncountable) A deep yellow colour, resembling the metal gold.

(countable) The bullseye of an archery target.

(countable) A gold medal.

(figuratively) Anything or anyone that is very valuable.

A grill jewellery worn on front teeth made of gold.

Made of gold.

Having gold of gold.

(of commercial services) Premium, superior.

Of a musical recording: having sold 500,000 copies.

In a finished state, ready for manufacturing.

To appear or cause to appear golden.

Of or referring to a gold version of something

An old English name of some yellow flower, - the marigold (Calendula), according to Dr. Prior, but in Chaucer perhaps the turnsole.

A metallic element of atomic number 79, constituting the most precious metal used as a common commercial medium of exchange. It has a characteristic yellow color, is one of the heaviest substances known (specific gravity 19.32), is soft, and very malleable and ductile. It is quite unalterable by heat (melting point 1064.4° C), moisture, and most corrosive agents, and therefore well suited for its use in coin and jewelry. Symbol Au (Aurum). Atomic weight 196.97.

Money; riches; wealth.

A yellow color, like that of the metal; as, a flower tipped with gold.

Figuratively, something precious or pure; as, hearts of gold.

Coins made of gold

A deep yellow color;

A soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent and univalent) metallic element; occurs mainly as nuggets in rocks and alluvial deposits; does not react with most chemicals but is attacked by chlorine and aqua regia

Great wealth;

Something likened to the metal in brightness or preciousness or superiority etc.;

Made from or covered with gold;

Having the deep slightly brownish color of gold;

Tungsten is extracted from ore minerals like wolframite and scheelite through processes that include crushing, grinding, and chemical treatment to produce tungsten powder.

Yes, both metals are recyclable. Gold is frequently recycled from old jewelry and electronics, while tungsten is often reclaimed from scrap metal.

Gold quality is determined by its purity, expressed in karats, with 24 karats being pure gold. Tungsten quality is assessed by its purity and the grain size of the metal or carbide powders.

Gold's value comes from its rarity, intrinsic beauty, malleability, non-corrosive nature, and historical significance as a form of currency and store of value.

Working with tungsten, especially in powder form, requires precautions against inhalation and skin contact, as it can pose health risks.

Gold is commonly alloyed with metals like silver, copper, and nickel to increase its hardness and suitability for various industrial applications, including dental alloys and electronics.

Gold's excellent electrical conductivity and resistance to oxidation make it highly effective for use in high-reliability electrical connectors and circuit board applications.

Global markets affect gold prices through investment demand and economic conditions, while tungsten prices are influenced by industrial demand and supply chain dynamics.

Tungsten is used in applications requiring high temperature resistance and durability, such as in aerospace for rocket engine nozzles, in welding, and as a catalyst in chemical manufacturing.

Mitigation efforts include restoration projects, pollution controls, and adopting more sustainable mining techniques to reduce environmental damage.

Gold mining often involves placer mining, dredging, and hard rock mining, focusing on extracting native gold. Tungsten mining is primarily from ore, requiring extensive chemical processing to extract the metal from its ores.

Historically, gold has been used for coinage, jewelry, and art, dating back thousands of years. Tungsten has been used for its hardness in tools and weaponry since its discovery as a distinct element in the 18th century.

Gold melts at 1064 °C and tungsten at 3422 °C. These properties matter because they affect how each metal is processed and used in various technologies.

Gold is vital in modern technology for its conductive properties, particularly in precision electronics, while tungsten is crucial in wear-resistant materials and components that must withstand extreme conditions.

There are no synthetic alternatives that fully replicate all properties of gold or tungsten, though research continues into materials that could substitute or mimic certain aspects for specific applications.