Analysis of Impurities in Gold Sponsored by PerkinElmerFeb 19 2021 Gold (Au) is able to be easily formed into a variety of shapes (such as thin sheets and wires or intricate shapes), can conduct electricity and is resistant to corrosion, a unique combination of characteristics that make it one of the most useful metals on earth, besides one of the most precious. The versatility of this material means that it is often used in wide-ranging uses, from ornamental decorations, jewelry and artwork to aerospace, machine/dentistry, electronics and currency. 1 Not all uses of gold require the same purities, and the price of the material is highly dependent on its level of impurity. In order to address this, ASTM has developed B562-95: Standard Specification for Refined Gold, which are specifications for various purities of refined gold.