Hi Impresso. I'm sure you've already found the info on this page http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ifcrc-rpcrc-eng.html and here http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-goods-what.asp and finally, here is the customs declaration card that will need to be filled in (there may be other forms for firsttimers) http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e311-eng.pdf
My advice is to declare everything. You probably already know that pleading ignorance to the laws and rules doesn't work in Canada. Canadians are generally honest and trustworthy people. People wanting to live in Canada and/or become Canadians should also be honest and trustworthy. The last thing you want to have happen is for your spouse to inadmissible because something wasn't declared. Get started on the right foot. (I'm not suggesting anyone here is not honest of course...just re-iterating this important Canadian value).
I'm not too sure of gold (i.e. gold bars) but the last time I brought a bar of silver back from Dubai, I declared it under goods....and when my total exceeded the personal exemption amount, they sent me over to the cashier window...but when I listed the bar, they had no way of putting it into the computer....so I suggested that perhaps it is a monetary instrument and therefore considered it as part of the cash I was carrying (far less than 10,000). I don't know if another person would have handled it differently.
I've also gone through secondary screening in the US (if you pass through the US, you will be screened by passport control and customs...even if just transiting at the airport) and again, my advice is complete honesty.
It seems in one of the pages, they suggest having all jewelry appraised, etc. You can always call them to get more details.
Just my two cents.
