Factors Influencing the Gold Price
The price of gold, like most commodities, is determined by supply and demand, especially speculative demand. Unlike most other commodities, however, saving and disposal have a greater impact on its price than consumption. Most of the gold ever mined still exists in accessible forms, such as bullion and mass-produced jewellery, with little value above its fine weight — making it virtually as liquid as bullion and capable of re-entering the gold market. At the end of 2006, it was believed that the entire amount of gold ever mined amounted to 158,000 tonnes (156,000 long tons; 174,000 short tons).
Given the massive amount of gold kept above ground in comparison to annual production, the price of gold is mostly influenced by changes in sentiment, which impacts both market supply and demand equally, rather than changes in annual output. According to the World Gold Council, annual mine production of gold has been close to 2,500 tonnes in recent years. Approximately 2,000 tonnes are used in jewellery, industrial, and dentistry production, with the remaining 500 tonnes going to retail investors and exchange-traded gold funds.
Jewelry and industrial demand
Jewelry accounts for more than two-thirds of yearly gold demand. In terms of volume, India is the greatest user, accounting for 27% of demand in 2009, followed by China and the United States.
Around 12% of gold demand is accounted for by industrial, dental, and medical applications. Gold has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, as well as resistance to corrosion and bacterial colonisation. Jewelry and industrial demand have fluctuated in recent years as a result of the continuous rise in emerging economies of middle classes yearning to Western lifestyles, offset by the 2007-2010 financial crisis.