Gold Rush Compact Mirror

From the very earliest human discoveries of gold, the precious metal was known to be something rare and special. Found deposited in rivers, the glimmering nuggets of gold—which appeared to radiate light like the sun—were too soft and mallable to turn into tools, yet they were also incorruptible and resistant to tarnishing like other precious metals. Where I live, in Ballarat, our most popular tourist attraction is Sovereign Hill. This open air museum depicts Ballarat’s first 10 years after the discovery of gold there in 1851. It was officially opened in 1970 and has become a nationally acclaimed tourist attraction.