Gold 

One of the Natural Elements found on Earth, and probably elsewhere in the Universe.  Gold is a yellow metal.

Gold is considered to be a valuable metal.  Gold is considered to be the best metal.  Gold does not tarnish when exposed to most other metals or chemicals.  It has been called the King of Metals.  Gold can be melted and can be dissolved in a substance known as Aqua Regia.

The Alchemists are said to have attempted the transmutation of a Base Metal, such as Lead, into Gold through the process known as Alchemy, which involved the use of the Philosopher's Stone, or Philosophi Lapis.

The Gold of the Alchemists has been considered by many to be the same as the Perfect Ashlar of the Freemasons, while the Base Metal is said to be the same as the Rough Ashlar of Freemasonry. 

The concept of turning a Base Metal into Gold was more likely just a reference to the attempt to Make Good men Better, Raising a person from the Dead, Turning water into Wine, or any number of sayings which may refer to the improving of Mankind through the teaching of Knowledge.

Norwegian sailors had to pay Ran, the wife of Aegir, in Gold if they wanted to be fed by her after she capsized their ships and took them to her undersea palace. (See "Mysteries of the Deep" by Thorndike page6)

It is said that the Ark of the Covenant was covered with Gold.

Remember the one version of the Golden Rule which states that "He who has the Gold makes the Rules" since it is very true.

After only 10 months of the Obama Administration in America the value of the United States Dollar has dropped to less than 1/1100 of an ounce of Gold.  This cannot be good for America, and therefore for the rest of the world.  Hopefully we can survive until he is voted out of office in 2012 unless we become a dictatorship in the meantime.

The Masonic 50 Year Emblem is made of Gold.