mineral

Gold

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5–3.0 (Mohs scale); Color: Metallic gold yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very high)

Hardness: 2
Color: Metallic gold yellow
Luster: Metallic

Identified April 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5–3.0 (Mohs scale); Color: Metallic gold yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very high)

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins through hot, mineral-rich fluids passing through fissures in the Earth's crust; also found in secondary alluvial (placer) deposits through weathering and transport by water.

Uses & applications

Primary use in jewelry, investment/bullion, and electronics due to its high conductivity and resistance to corrosion; also used in dentistry and aerospace.

Geological facts

Gold is one of the least reactive chemical elements and is solid under standard conditions. It is so malleable that a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct yellow color that does not tarnish, its high density (it will quickly sink to the bottom of a gold pan), and its malleability (it will dent rather than shatter like pyrite). Found in quartz veins or stream beds.