Gold occupies a significant socio-cultural, economic, and symbolic position in societies across the world. This sociological study examines the uses of gold and its multifaceted impact on marriage, family, caste, class, religion, and major social institutions at both national (Indian) and international levels. In the context of marriage and family, gold functions as a symbol of status, security, tradition, and intergenerational wealth, influencing marital negotiations, dowry practices, gender relations, and family prestige. From the perspective of caste and class, gold acts as a marker of social stratification, reinforcing inequalities while also serving as a means of social mobility for emerging middle and marginalized groups. Religiously, gold holds sacred value, being integral to rituals, offerings, and religious institutions across Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and other global faiths. Economically and institutionally, gold intersects with markets, banking systems, state policies, and global trade networks, shaping consumption patterns, investment behavior, and financial security. At the international level, gold reflects global inequalities, cultural exchange, and economic power relations among nations. The study highlights how gold, beyond its material worth, functions as a powerful social institution that both sustains cultural continuity and reproduces social inequalities in a globalized world.