mineral

Placer Gold Nugget

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Rich golden yellow to brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (rarely visible in water-worn nuggets); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (pure), roughly 15-19 for natural nuggets.

Hardness: 2
Color: Rich golden yellow to brassy
Luster: Metallic

Identified April 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal quartz veins, these specimens were eroded out and transported by water. Gravity causes them to settle in 'placers' like riverbeds and cracks in bedrock. They can date from various geological eras, including the Archean to modern times.

Uses & applications

Primary use is in the production of bullion/investment assets, jewelry, and high-end electronics. Collectors value natural nuggets significantly higher than their melt value because they are rare survivors of the refining process.

Geological facts

Approximately 98% of the world's gold is found as microscopic particles; only a tiny fraction exists in the form of nuggets large enough to be seen or handled like the ones in the image.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its high weight (density), distinct golden color that does not change under shade, and extreme malleability (it will dent, not shatter, under pressure). Commonly found in 'black sand' deposits in river bends.