mineral

Gold Nugget

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Golden-yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (rarely visible in nuggets); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very high)

Hardness: 2
Color: Golden-yellow
Luster: Metallic

Identified May 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Golden-yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (rarely visible in nuggets); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very high)

Formation & geological history

Formed via hydrothermal veins deep in the earth's crust or concentrated in placer deposits through erosion and water transport. Most deposits were formed during periods of intense tectonic and volcanic activity.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry, investment, electronics (due to high conductivity), dentistry, and as a historical store of value.

Geological facts

Gold is the most malleable of all metals; a single gram can be beaten into a sheet of one square meter. The largest gold nugget ever found was the 'Welcome Stranger' in Australia, weighing 72 kg.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its high density, metallic luster, and malleability (it will dent, not shatter, under pressure). Commonly found in stream beds or quartz veins. Tips: Use 'panning' in areas with known historical gold rushes.