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Electrum
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==Etymology== The name ''electrum'' is the [[Latin]]ized form of the [[Greek language|Greek]] word ἤλεκτρον (''ḗlektron''), mentioned in the ''[[Odyssey]]'', referring to a metallic substance consisting of [[gold]] alloyed with [[silver]]. The same word was also used for the substance [[amber]], likely because of the pale yellow color of certain varieties.<ref name=EB1911/>{{failed verification |No mention of the Odyssee. Nothing there about Latinisation. Amber seems to be indicated as the primary meaning (although there's no total consensus), not the other way 'round. The "pale yellow color of certain varieties" refers to the metal, not the amber. |date= January 2025}} (It is from amber’s [[Electrostatics |electrostatic]] properties that the modern English words ''[[electron]]'' and ''[[electricity]]'' are derived.) Electrum was often referred to as "white gold" in ancient times but could be more accurately described as pale gold because it is usually pale yellow or yellowish-white in color. The modern use of the term ''[[Colored gold|white gold]]'' usually refers to gold alloyed with any one or a combination of [[nickel]], silver, [[platinum]] and [[palladium]] to produce a silver-colored gold.
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