mineral

Gold Ore

Gold-bearing Quartz (Native Gold, Au)

Hardness: 2.5-3 (gold) / 7 (quartz matrix), Color: Yellow/Golden, Luster: Metallic, Crystal Structure: Isometric, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 19.3 (pure gold)

Hardness: 2

Identified April 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5-3 (gold) / 7 (quartz matrix), Color: Yellow/Golden, Luster: Metallic, Crystal Structure: Isometric, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 19.3 (pure gold)

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes where hot, mineral-rich fluids circulate through crustal fractures, typically associated with mountain-building events and volcanic activity.

Uses & applications

Primary source of gold for currency, jewelry, electronics, and medical applications; highly valued by mineral collectors.

Geological facts

Gold is the most malleable and ductile of all metals; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its high density (heaviness), bright yellow streak, and the fact that it does not crumble when poked with a needle (unlike pyrite). Commonly found in quartz veins or as placer deposits in stream beds.