Aetherial Conductivity and Protection Against Magic

[Wyssahtyn]

So I was engaging in some light research into the topic of aetherial conductivity and was reading about how various metals such as silver and gold are aetherially conductive. Better conductivity equaling better magical power and all that when channeling spells through such foci. The Stormblood Miner quests note that beggar's mythril ore is "noteworthy for having exceedingly low aetherial conductivity" - Thick Skin. So low conductivity translates to better magic defense. Apparently.

Here's the thing though. The Garleans use an "alloyed gilding" which "has since been discovered to dampen the effects of elemental charges and is now standard issue" - Gilded Magitek Armor Mount. To gild something means to cover it in gold. So I am confusion. Why are the Garleans covering their armor in gold, an aetherially conductive metal, to protect against magic when they should be covering it in something that doesn't conduct aether well? Standard Garlean incompetence? Just another lore inconsistency? Or a personal misinterpretation due to a lack of some other context? Please explain.

[Vyrerus]

An alloy is a mixed metal composition to make a stronger metal or give a certain metal better properties for the purpose you have in mind. Maybe the Garleans found a way to mix another metal with gold to result in a lightweight alloy that has exceptional aetherial insulation for its given weight. I mean, it's clear that, that particular mount isn't standard issue. Never encountered a golden magitek armor outside of players having them.

[PeacefulEdge]

This may be a strech, but lets look at super saiyan Gaius:

Garleans are thick skinned so being surrounded by a high conducting armor may cause the magic to completly evade them.

Also this coating could be used too inside robots, so the magic energy is guided evading the more fragile parts of the inner machinery.