Gold nanoparticles deposited [by homogeneous deposition-precipitation (HDP) using urea] on Yb2O3 and other rare-earth oxides (viz. Sm2O3, Eu2O3, and Tb2O3) are novel highly active/selective and reusable catalysts for the selective epoxidation of styrene to styrene oxide by anhydrous or aqueous t-butyl hydroperoxide and no problems are foreseen for a large scale operation of this green process.