On a Periodic Table, elements often found to associate with gold have been group/classified.

• Elements Universally Associated with Gold
• Elements Typical in Minerals Commonly Associated with Gold
• Elements Concentrated in Gold Bearing Mineral Associations of Individual Orebodies
• Elements Characteristic of Gold Only Ores
• Elements with Traces Commonly found in Gold and its Compounds.

This does not tell us how are gold deposits formed but more what does gold deposits contain or what elements does gold associate with, what are the golden friends.  You see, gold is never found or associated with Lithium, Helium and other shown here below.

Gold: History and Genesis of Deposits