On the morning of January 24, 1848, as Marshall began digging a pit to provide water access for the future building, an incredible discovery changed their destiny. At the bottom of this pit, Marshall made a stunning discovery: glittering gold nuggets! He immediately rushed to inform Johann Sutter. Together, they tested the nuggets and discovered they were 96% real gold. By chance, this extraordinary find sparked the legendary "California Dream" and the famous North American Gold Rush.

At first, Sutter wanted to keep this discovery secret, fearing that a mob of gold prospectors would invade his land and put an end to his project. Despite his request for secrecy, the news spread like wildfire across the country. A few weeks later, businessman Samuel Brannan walked the streets of San Francisco brandishing gold nuggets, shouting to the winds, "Gold! There is gold in the American River!" In August 1848, the New York Herald newspaper picked up the story and took credit for being the first to report on the gold rush in the press. Californians were the first to answer this call, searching for gold as if it were real treasure. Prospectors also flocked from all walks of life.

In June, the California government was alerted by Colonel Mason, who wrote that the discovery had shaken the state, prompting residents of all social status and professions to abandon their jobs and head to the mines. He even included a few gold nuggets in his letter. In December 1848, U.S. President James Polk spoke about gold for the first time before Congress, marking the beginning of an extraordinary political dimension to the Gold Rush. Join us as we relive this incredible period in American history and explore the consequences of this discovery that changed the destiny of California forever.

Professionals, discover the many facets of gold and explore the opportunities it offers. Whether you're a jewelry enthusiast, a savvy investor, or a bold entrepreneur, gold opens the doors to a world of opportunities.
Gold is used today in several areas, including:

- Jewelry and crafts: Gold is used to create jewelry and crafts because of its beauty, shine, and strength.

- Electronics industry: Gold is used in the manufacture of electronic components due to its high electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as its resistance to corrosion.

- Medicine: Gold is used in dentistry and sometimes as a medical treatment for certain conditions, although its use is limited.

- Food: Edible gold is used in luxury gastronomy, but its use is regulated and limited due to safety and health issues.

📜 Mineralogical Sheet: Gold (Au)