electrum

[ih-lek-truh m] /ɪˈlɛk trəm/
noun
1.
an amber-colored alloy of gold and silver used in ancient times.
2.
an alloy composed of about 50 percent copper, 30 percent nickel, and 20 percent zinc.
3.
German silver; nickel silver.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek ḗlektron amber, alloy of gold and silver
Examples from the web for electrum
  • Gold mineralization occurs as electrum and is enclosed in pyrite.
  • electrum in vein-controlled ore may be visible to fine-grained.
  • Gold varies from fine-grained to microscopic and grades into electrum.
British Dictionary definitions for electrum

electrum

/ɪˈlɛktrəm/
noun
1.
an alloy of gold (55–88 per cent) and silver used for jewellery and ornaments
Word Origin
C14: from Latin, from Greek ēlektron amber
Word Origin and History for electrum
n.

"alloy of gold and up to 40% silver," late 14c. (in Old English elehtre), from Latin electrum "alloy of gold and silver," also "amber" (see electric). So called probably for its pale yellow color.