We know now that you can’t turn “base metals” into gold through chemical processes, but if you could, gold would no longer be scarce and therefore no more valuable than the base metals.

  • edric
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    fedilink
    2216 hours ago

    They’ll probably just put an arbitrary standard to differentiate “naturally occurring” gold from the one processed one, just like how artificial diamonds are the exact same thing as the natural one but it’s the blood, sweat, and tears that give it value.

    • @[email protected]
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      fedilink
      23 hours ago

      That wouldn’t work with gold, as there would be no way to tell the difference; with diamonds, natural ones have flaws that aren’t present in artificial ones

      • “… and this particular diamond, although smaller, cost extra blood, and three young children died getting it. That’s why, despite being twice the cost, it’s the perfect stone for your wedding ring!”