Suzy;
If you're really interested, have a look at Wikipedia
Stellar nucleosynthesis.
Gold (atomic mass = 196), is heavier than Iron (atomic mass = 56), so follow the R-process and S-process links. (These are the two processes which result in the creation of elements heavier than Iron, like Gold).
The
R-process is a nucleosynthesis process, likely occurring in core-collapse supernovae and is responsible for for about 50% of atomic nuclei heavier than Iron and works by slow neutron capture. It occurs mainly in "Asymptotic giant branch" stars (AGB) - a fancy term for low-to-medium mass stars.
The other 50%, is coutesy of the
S-process. It differs from the more rapid R-process of neutron-capture, because of its slower capture rate. It also occurs in AGB stars at relatively lower neutron densities and intermediate temperature conditions inside the star.
The R-process is believed to occur over time scales of seconds in explosive environments, the S-process is believed to occur over time scales of thousands of years.
Interesting to think of it this way, next time you look at that jewellery, huh?
(I may have just saved hubby some money on future anniversaries ! .. Err .. at least that was my intention).
Cheers & Rgds