How does gold keep its glitter? Researchers uncover why it resists tarnish
Gold surfaces quietly protect themselves In a new study published in Physical Review Letters, researchers found that atoms on certain gold surfaces naturally rearrange themselves into protective patterns that dramatically suppress reactions with oxygen. The discovery helps explain why gold jewelry and other gold objects can remain untarnished for centuries—and could also point the way toward designing more effective gold-based catalysts for industrial and energy-related applications. "People have generally thought gold doesn't tarnish simply because it doesn't interact strongly with oxygen," said Matthew Montemore, associate professor of Chemical Engineering in Tulane's School of Science and Engineering.
- ▪Gold surfaces quietly protect themselves In a new study published in Physical Review Letters, researchers found that atoms on certain gold surfaces naturally rearrange themselves into protective patterns that dramatically suppress reactions
- ▪The discovery helps explain why gold jewelry and other gold objects can remain untarnished for centuries—and could also point the way toward designing more effective gold-based catalysts for industrial and energy-related applications.
- ▪"People have generally thought gold doesn't tarnish simply because it doesn't interact strongly with oxygen," said Matthew Montemore, associate professor of Chemical Engineering in Tulane's School of Science and Engineering.
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May 21, 2026 How does gold keep its glitter? Researchers uncover why it resists tarnish by Tulane University edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan Sadie Harley Scientific Editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Robert Egan Associate Editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread The GIST Add as preferred source Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Gold has been prized for thousands of years for its enduring shine, but Tulane University researchers have discovered that gold's resistance to…
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