mineral

Auriferous Quartz with Pyrite

Gold-bearing Quartz (SiO2 + FeS2 + Au)

Hardness: 6-7 (quartz) and 6-6.5 (pyrite); Color: White, grey, rusty brown (limonite) with metallic gold/brass yellow flecks; Luster: Vitreous to metallic; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Isometric; Specific Gravity: 2.65-5.0

Hardness: 6-7 (quartz) and 6-6
Luster: Vitreous to metallic

Identified June 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins where hot, mineral-rich fluids circulate through crustal fractures. Often associated with volcanic activity or metamorphic belts from various geological ages, frequently Ore Archean to Cenozoic.

Uses & applications

Primary source for industrial gold mining, jewelry production, and high-value mineral specimen collecting.

Geological facts

This specimen shows significant iron oxidation (rusting), which is a classic indicator for prospectors that gold-bearing sulfides like pyrite have decomposed, potentially leaving free gold behind.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for quartz veins with ‘gossan’ (rusty staining), heavy weight, and cubic pyrite crystals or metallic gold inclusions. Commonly found in California (Mother Lode), Alaska, and Australia.

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