"gold" is a noun. "I have a gold mine." "This is made of gold." "golden" is a adjective and a adverb. "I have a golden necklace." "Her skin became golden in the sunlight." off the top of my head, I can't think of any adverb forms. Sometimes, "gold" is used as a adjective, but mainly as a figure of speech. "Her skin became gold in the sunlight." (her skin did not literally become gold, but it looked like it.)

"Gold" can be a noun OR adjective. It typically means a metallic element. EX: Gold was found in the mountains. (NOUN - the actual element) EX: The gold coin was stolen. (ADJECTIVE - a coin that is made of gold) "Golden" is an adjective. It refers to a color that resembles the likeness of gold (a metallic element). EX: The golden glow radiated from the cave. (ADJECTIVE) So, in general, if you're talking about the COLOR of something that is "like" gold, but maybe not literally gold... then it is GOLDEN. If, however, you are referring to ACTUAL gold, then use the word GOLD. To tell a noun from an adjective, as in gold, simply look at the noun phrase that "gold" is a part of: EX: THE GOLD MINE was found last year. (ADJECTIVE) You can delete "gold" and have: The mine was found last year. This proves that "gold", in this sentence, is an ADJECTIVE. Also, in place of "gold" put another adjective and see if the sentence makes sense: EX. The old mine was found last year. Does it make sense? Yep! "Gold" is being used as an adjective. Hope this helps!!! :)