Gold

Gold is the oldest precious metal known to man and for thousands of years it has been valued as a global currency, a commodity, an investment and simply an object of beauty.

Major Characteristics

Gold (Chemical Symbol-Au) is primarily a monetary asset and partly a commodity.
Gold is the world's oldest international currency.
Gold is an important element of global monetary reserves.
With regards to investment value, more than two-thirds of gold's total accumulated holdings is with central banks' reserves, private players, and held in the form of high-karat jewellery.
Less than one-third of gold's total accumulated holdings are used as “commodity” for jewellery in the western markets and industry.

Demand and Supply Scenario

Gold demand in 2010 reached a 10-year high of 3,812.2 tonnes, worth US$150billon, as a result of;

Strong growth in jewellery demand;
The revival of the Indian market;
Strong momentum in Chinese gold demand and
A paradigm shift in the official sector, where central banks became net purchasers of gold for the first time in 21 years.

China was the world's largest gold producer with 340.88 tonnes in 2010, followed by the United States and South Africa.
In 2010, India was the world's largest gold consumer with an annual demand of 963 tonnes.
The total supply of gold coming onto the market in 2010 reached 4,108 tonnes, a rise of 2% from 2009 levels.

Global Scenario

London is the world’s biggest clearing house.
Mumbai is under India's liberalised gold regime.
New York is the home of gold futures trading.
Zurich is a physical turntable.
Istanbul, Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong are doorways to important consuming regions.
Tokyo, where TOCOM sets the mood of Japan.

Indian Scenario

India is the largest market for gold jewellery in the world. 2010 was a record year for Indian jewellery demand; at 745.7 tonnes, annual demand was 13% above the previous peak in 1998. In local currency terms, Indian jewellery demand more than doubled in 2010.
A 20% rise in the rupee price of gold combined with a 69% rise in the volume of demand, pushed up the value of gold demand by 101% to 1,342 billion. This compares with 2009 demand of 669 billon.
The rising price of gold, particularly in the latter half of 2010, created a 'virtuous circle' of higher price expectations among Indian consumers, which fuelled purchases, thereby further driving up local prices.

Factors Influencing the Market

Above ground supply of gold from central bank's sale, reclaimed scrap, and official gold loans.
Hedging interest of producers/miners.
World macroeconomic factors such as the US Dollar and interest rate, and economic events.
Commodity-specific events such as the construction of new production facilities or processes, unexpected mine or plant closures, or industry restructuring, all affect metal prices.
In India, gold demand is also determined to a large extent by its price level and volatility.

Measurement Weight Conversion Table

Convert from	Convert To	Multiply by
Troy ounces	Grams	31.1035
Million ounces	Tonnes	31.1035
Grams	Troy ounces	0.0321507
Kilograms	Troy ounces	32.1507
Tonnes	Troy ounces	32,150.70
Kilograms	Tolas	85.755
Kilograms	Taels	26.7172
Kilograms	Bahts	68.41
Troy ounces	Grains	480.00
Troy ounces	Avoirdupois ounces	1.09714
Troy ounces	Penny weights	20.00
Avoirdupois ounces	Troy ounces	0.911458
Short tonne	Metric tonne	0.9072

Purity

Gold purity is measured in terms of karat and fineness:

Karat: pure gold is defined as 24 karat

Fineness: parts per thousand Thus, 18 karat = 18/24 of 1,000 parts = 750 fineness