mineral

Gold Ore (in Quartz/Pyrite)

Native Gold (Au) with Quartz (SiO2) and Pyrite (FeS2)

Hardness: 2.5-3 (Gold), 7 (Quartz), 6-6.5 (Pyrite). Color: Metallic yellow, white, and brassy. Luster: Metallic to vitreous. Crystal structure: Isometric (Gold/Pyrite), Hexagonal (Quartz).

Hardness: 2
Color: Metallic yellow, white, and brassy
Luster: Metallic to vitreous

Identified May 27, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5-3 (Gold), 7 (Quartz), 6-6.5 (Pyrite). Color: Metallic yellow, white, and brassy. Luster: Metallic to vitreous. Crystal structure: Isometric (Gold/Pyrite), Hexagonal (Quartz).

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins where hot, mineral-rich fluids circulate through crustal fractures. Often associated with volcanic activity and metamorphic mountain building.

Uses & applications

Primary source of gold for currency, electronics, jewelry, and investment. High-grade specimens are also kept as mineral collectibles.

Geological facts

Most of the world's gold is found in such small quantities that it is invisible to the naked eye; a 'rich' ore like this specimen is rare. Gold is the most malleable and ductile of all metals.

Field identification & locations

Identify by high density, metallic yellow color that doesn't tarnish, and sectility (ability to be cut with a knife). Common in tectonic plate boundaries like the Ring of Fire or the Sierra Nevada.

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