Gold was present in the deeps of Arda since its creation by Eru. It was no doubt discovered by Aulë, the great smith who was the first to make use of it. Afterwards, it was to be used by all speaking peoples of earth particularly the Dwarves who mastered it and by the Ñoldor.
In Gnomish, one of Tolkien's early conceptions of an Elven language, the word for "gold" is glôr (glôriol means "golden, like gold", and glôrin means "golden, of gold"). The poetic word for "gold" is Culu.
Portrayal in adaptations
1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
- Gold (Mal) is valued by the Dwarves above all other metals, save mithril. Elven smiths mix it with other metals to make strong alloys.