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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ash falls on Rim Village as battle with Crater Lake fire continues ... Since You Asked: Hanley Farm likely fed local soldiers ... Opting out: More Medford charter school students are declining to take state tests ... Ash falls on Rim Village as battle with Crater Lake fire continues ... Since You Asked: Hanley Farm likely fed local soldiers ... Opting out: More Medford charter school students are declining to take state tests ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Olympic medals won't produce a gold rush Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 4, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 4, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Are the gold medals they give out in the Olympics really made out of gold? Seems like that would be an expensive proposition if they were. — C.J., Medford It would indeed, C.J., but they aren't. Olympic gold medals were made of solid gold a century ago, but now consist of mostly silver. The standards set by the International Olympic Committee require that gold medals be made of at least 92.5 percent silver and contain a minimum of 6 grams of gold. In addition, all Olympic medals must be at least 60 millimeters in diameter and 3 millimeters thick. Silver medals also must contain at least 92.5 percent silver, while bronze medals are mostly bronze, an alloy of copper, and some tin. The last solid gold medals were awarded in 1912 at the Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. In today's market, the medal would be worth $1,208 for its gold content, according to americanbullion.com . The medal awarded in Paris in 1900 would have the greatest current gold value, $2,667. In comparison, the website says, the gold medals awarded in Beijing in 2008 contain gold worth just $383 in today's market. But the medals are literally worth more than their weight in gold: A gold medal won in 1996 by Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko sold for $1 million, and a gold medal won in 1980 by American hockey player Mark Wells fetched $310,700. In addition to gold and silver, the gold medals in Rio this year will contain elements from recycled electronic equipment, which is said to be a show of Rio’s commitment to the environment. That show apparently doesn't include the mattresses and animal carcasses found floating in nearby waters, but that's a topic of a less golden hue. —Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 4, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501