# Gold & Gem Analogies
> [!summary]
> *Gold and precious gems illustrate spiritual truths about the soul's unchanging nature, the transformative power of devotion, and the relationship between the Lord and His creation.*
## Gold & The Soul
### Unchanging Identity
As gold remains gold whether in a ring, bracelet, or necklace, the soul remains unchanged regardless of which body it inhabits.
![[bg/9/29#purport|gold]]
—Bg. [[bg/9/29|9.29]] Purport
See also: [[sb/3/14/46|SB 3.14.46]]
## Gold Mine & The Lord
### Source of Everything
The Lord is compared to a gold mine, and all manifestations are like gold produced from that mine—everything comes from Him.
![[sb/1/1/1#purport|gold mine]]
—SB [[sb/1/1/1|1.1.1]] Purport
See also: [[sb/8/12/8|SB 8.12.8]], [[cc/madhya/23/77|Madhya 23.77]]
## Gold Ornaments & Creation
### Variety in Unity
As one gold reserve produces various ornaments, the one Supreme Lord manifests the entire creation in its variety.
![[sb/8/12/8#purport|gold ornaments]]
—SB [[sb/8/12/8|8.12.8]] Purport
## Gold Transaction & Transmigration
### Changing Forms
As gold is melted and recast into new ornaments, the soul leaves one body and accepts another.
![[sb/6/16/6#purport|gold]]
—SB [[sb/6/16/6|6.16.6]] Purport
## Bell Metal to Gold
### Transformation by Association
As bell metal can be transformed to gold by the touch of mercury, a lowborn person can be elevated through proper initiation and association.
![[cc/adi/7/47#purport|bell metal]]
—Cc. [[cc/adi/7/47|Ādi 7.47]] Purport
See also: [[sb/5/24/17|SB 5.24.17]], [[cc/madhya/24/331|Madhya 24.331]]
## Touchstone
### The Lord's Transforming Power
The Lord is compared to a touchstone that transforms iron into gold. By His association, even the most fallen can become purified.
![[cc/madhya/22/63#purport|touchstone]]
—Cc. [[cc/madhya/22/63|Madhya 22.63]] Purport
## Gold & Love
### The Highest Standard
Pure love of God is compared to gold—the highest standard by which all other values are measured.
![[cc/adi/4/164|gold]]
—Cc. [[cc/adi/4/164|Ādi 4.164]]
*Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]*
*See also: [[wiki/analogies/soul-body|Soul & Body Analogies]], [[wiki/analogies/transmigration|Transmigration Analogies]]*