Electrum is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, with trace amounts of copper and other metals. Its color ranges from pale to bright yellow, depending on the proportions of gold and silver.
Natural electrum "wires" on quartz, historic specimen from the old Smuggler-Union Mine, Telluride, Colorado, USA
The Pactolus river, from which Lydia obtained electrum for its early coinage
Electrum Phoenician bowl with mythological scenes, a sphinx frieze and the representation of a king vanquishing his enemies, Cypro-Archaic I, from Idalion, 8th–7th centuries BC (Louvre, Paris)
Brooch with a griffin protome, from the necropolis of Kameiros, Rhodes, c. 625–600 BC (Louvre)
Orichalcum or orichalc is a metal mentioned in several ancient writings, including the story of Atlantis in the Critias of Plato. Within the dialogue, Critias says that orichalcum had been considered
Electrum
…Hepatizon Orichalcum – another distinct metal or alloy mentioned in texts from classical antiquity, later used to refer to brass Panchaloha…
Orichalcum found in Gela, Sicily
An orichalcum sestertius issued under Nero, perhaps depicting the equestrian Troy Game, a kind of cavalry parade (decursio)