mineral
Gold Nugget
Native Gold (Au)
Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Golden yellow to brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy)
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Golden yellow to brassy
- Luster
- Metallic
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Golden yellow to brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy)
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal quartz veins by hot fluids deep in the crust, or as secondary placer deposits in riverbeds. Found in rocks ranging from Precambrian to Cenozoic ages.
Uses & applications
Primary use in jewelry, investment/bullion, electronics (conductors), dentistry, and aerospace due to high conductivity and corrosion resistance.
Geological facts
Gold is incredibly malleable; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. Most gold found by amateur prospectors is in the form of 'flour' or small flakes like this.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its high density and malleability; unlike pyrite, gold will dent rather than shatter. Use a gold pan in river bends or cracks in bedrock to find placer specimens.
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