mineral

Gold flakes

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5-3 (Mohs scale); Color: Metallic golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy)

Hardness: 2
Color: Metallic golden yellow
Luster: Metallic

Identified February 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5-3 (Mohs scale); Color: Metallic golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy)

Formation & geological history

Formed from hydrothermal fluids in quartz veins or as placer deposits in riverbeds where it is concentrated by gravity. It can be found in rocks of various ages, from Precambrian to Cenozoic.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry, currency, electronics due to high conductivity, and dentistry. It is a major target for mineral collectors and prospectors.

Geological facts

Gold is incredibly malleable; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. It is one of the few elements found in its 'native' or pure metallic state in nature.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its high density (it should not wash away easily in a pan) and its 'sectility' (it can be cut or dented with a knife without shattering, unlike pyrite). Common in quartz-rich mountainous regions and river gravels.