Copper dental work would not taste good.

J. Wise, Reno, NV

Gold is precious because it is scarce, portable, divisible, indestructible, fungible and recognizable; you are mistaking (or trying to mistake) an industrial commodity with money.
As long as men live together they need a means to deal with one another in a peaceful and voluntary way which can’t be counterfeited by individuals or institutions. When this is not the case famines, corruption, violence, social disarrangement and ruin are inevitable (See the headlines of your news paper if you want some examples of the above).
Gold is the measure of society's virtue, the symbol of freedom and just exchange.

Francisco Danconia, Santiago, Chile

Copper jewellery, properly looked after, doesn't have to oxidise and stain your skin - but then maybe no one wants to be reminded that they have to look after (the symbol of) their marriage, rather than just let it sit and look shiny.

Fran, London,

"Gold does have practical uses. It is even better at conducting, hence its use in more expensive hi-fi cables and systems."

Gold's use in electronics is a non-oxidisable contact, guranteeing lower contact resistance over a long period. Virtually all other use of glod in electronics is to flatter the eye of the beholder and persuade them to part with money better spent elsewhere.

As a matter of fact, the best electrical conductors are silver and copper in that order. Gold is 50% more resistive than copper, and only slightly better than aluminium.

Steve S, Wiltshire, UK

When nano-technology shows us the way to killing cancer
cells, using gold as it's catalyst, GOLD will become worth
a fortune.

EKarpo, TORONTO, CANADA

If gold is a symbol of Man's foolishness, what is paper money backed by nothing and printed at will by corrupt politicians?

jose b, NY, USA

When the time comes, try buying a loaf of bread with a copper ring.

Scott, Bangkok, Thailand

Yes, if you say so. Copper leaves a very unattractive green stain on the skin (verdigris) caused by oxidisation, which is why it is rarely used in jewellry.

Paul Lennon, Woking, Surrey

You speak disparagingly of young men who proffer gifts or tokens that have been honoured through the ages as signs of devotion or love. Gold is timeless, incorruptible, universal. Are you suggesting modern females prefer something so tawdry as to discolour one's finger to be a better indicator of connection than the purity and timeless beauty of gold? I doubt it.

Arnold Dyck, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

Gold does have practical uses. It is even better at conducting, hence its use in more expensive hi-fi cables and systems.

Austin, London,

Your right Helen but, why not spend the same on one as the other? That would say something. It would also be a little more in the bank of the future .

brian, gladstone, qld aust

What is a woman's true worth? As a young woman you snickered at the foolishness of men who in a traditionally honoured way gave you the best thing they could imagine, and you considered it foolishness. So, now copper is the new "gold"? What's the difference? Copper, like gold, is just a thing. Shame on you! It's not about the things men give women - and what is it about you anyway that makes you think you are so worthy to be a recipient as opposed to being a giver- as to be a judge of what is worthy or not? In my opinion, when someone gives a gift to another, the gift's rarity and beauty and imperishability are far more valuable considerations than industrial utility. Smarten up! And, anyway, don't you know that copper leaves a stain on your finger? I'm a great advocate of freedom of expression, but also a great advocate of personal responsibility and common sense, and your blog smacks of immaturity and disrespect.

Arnold Dyck, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

Ms Rumbelow makes the same mistake as scores of other shortsighted commentators by denigrating gold as having no value and is based on "our race's decision to prize it just because everyone else does".

Let's take the same logic to art. What is the "purpose" of a Van Gogh painting that it can attract a price that is obscene? Given its weight and use and rarity, does its price bear any relationship to other "usefull" things such as a loaf of bread?

Ms Rumbelow apparently questions that beauty is of "use" and that rarity, beauty and indestructability (contrary to paintings) does have a value. This was recognised long ago for precious metals, gemstones and art. Awarding value only to items for consumption and as a means of production is a primitive approach. Mankind's appreciation for beauty distinguishes us from animals.

Kees Dekker, Johannesburg, South Africa