mineral

Gold Nugget

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5–3.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow to brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy for its size).

Hardness: 2
Color: Golden yellow to brassy
Luster: Metallic

Identified February 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5–3.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow to brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy for its size).

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal quartz veins by precipitation from hot, mineral-rich fluids. Nuggets are often found in secondary placer deposits where they have been eroded from the host rock and concentrated by gravity in stream beds.

Uses & applications

Primary source of gold for currency, jewelry, and investment. Used in electronics for conductivity and in dentistry for biocompatibility.

Geological facts

Native gold usually contains 10-20% silver (electrum). It is one of the most malleable metals; a single gram can be beaten into a sheet one square meter in size.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its high density (heavy for its size), extreme malleability (it dents/bends rather than shatters if hit), and its sectility (can be cut with a knife). Found globally, notably in California (USA), Australia, and the Yukon.