I'm trying to do the mental math, and figure out how many amps it takes to melt gold, especially as good a conductor as it is.
That may be a potential Mythbusters episode.
Maybe they can tie it into Kari Byron's electric pickle experiment? 
Also from my carrier days, I'm told (but did not see for myself) that dropping an adequately-sized tool into a 4160V junction box can copper-plate the inside of the box when the tool shorts out the bus. The fireball was alleged to be... impressive.
Just as glad I never saw that in person, actually...
Although I *HAVE* seen video of arc-flash from shorted 480V and 4160 breakers, from my days at the power plant. Better be wearing your all-cotton clothes there, kiddies. Opening the disconnects on a 500KV distribution line after isolation via circuit breaker (seen this one in person) is impressive as hell - that draws a twelve-foot arc between the contacts. Yowzah!
Can't imagine having my ring melt it's way through my finger
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