mineral

Placer Gold Nugget

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Rich golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy)

Hardness: 2
Color: Rich golden yellow
Luster: Metallic

Identified April 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Rich golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy)

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins at high temperatures, then eroded out of host rock and transported by water into stream beds (placer deposit). Geological age varies widely by location.

Uses & applications

Used as a primary source for gold in currency, electronics, jewelry, and as a hedge against inflation for investors/collectors.

Geological facts

Gold is incredibly ductile; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. This specimen appears as an elongated, water-worn nugget in a gold pan.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its high density (it won't move easily when panned), metallic luster that remains bright in shade, and its malleability (it dents rather than shatters if struck). Found in river bends and gravel bars.