mineral

Gold Nugget

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Golden yellow to brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric/Cubic (often found as irregular nuggets or grains); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy)

Hardness: 2
Color: Golden yellow to brassy
Luster: Metallic

Identified April 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Primary deposits form in hydrothermal quartz veins during igneous activity. Secondary (placer) deposits, like this small grain likely found via panning, form through the weathering of those veins and the subsequent concentration of gold in stream beds due to its high density.

Uses & applications

Primary use is in currency/investment, jewelry, and electronics due to its high conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

Geological facts

Gold is so malleable that a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. Most gold found in nature contains trace amounts of silver (electrum) or copper.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its extreme weight relative to size (high specific gravity) and its malleability; unlike pyrite (fool's gold), real gold will dent or flatten if struck rather than shattering, and it maintains its color in the shade.