Fear of gold (aurophobia)

Aurophobia is a fear of gold. It might mean disliking gold jewellery, feeling uneasy in jewellers or avoiding gold coloured objects. For some, the fear seems linked less to the metal and more to what it stands for, such as wealth, greed or pressure to show success.

About this phobia

The name comes from the Latin aurum, meaning gold. It is very rarely reported and has almost no clinical documentation, appearing mostly on lists of phobias. It may sit near other fears about money and wealth, such as chrometophobia, a term listed for fear of money.

What it feels like

• Turning down gifts of gold jewellery
• Feeling uneasy in jewellery shops or ornate rooms
• Discomfort around displays of wealth

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

Common questions

Can someone really be afraid of gold?

Almost anything can become the focus of a phobia, often through a past experience or a strong association. A fear of gold is very rarely reported, but if it causes real distress it deserves to be taken seriously.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

See all session options and prices