mineral

Gold Flake / Placer Gold

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow, brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy).

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

Identified April 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow, brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy).

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal quartz veins and then eroded into 'placer deposits' in riverbeds through mechanical weathering and water transport. Usually found in Quaternary or older alluvial sediments.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a store of value, in jewelry, and for its high conductivity in electrical components and aerospace technology.

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' pure form in nature.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its 'malleability'—it will dent rather than shatter like pyrite; it also stays bright yellow even in shadow, whereas pyrite sparkles. Commonly found in point bars of rivers or behind large boulders.