I don't say that gold specifically is genetically programmed into us. But the prerequisites for its becoming valuable are. Gold just happened to be there...
"Glittery stones" are mostly precious gems too, lol
The landscaping around my house is filled with white glittery rocks that reflect light in a very attractive way. Those rocks are virtually worthless. Being glittery has nothing to do with being valuable. Scarcity is the key component.