mineral

Gold Nugget

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; 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 March 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Metallic golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy)

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal quartz veins by precipitation from hot, mineral-rich fluids. Often found as 'placer gold' in riverbeds where it has eroded from primary deposits and settled due to its high density.

Uses & applications

Primary use in jewelry, currency/investment, electronics (due to high conductivity), and aerospace technology for corrosion resistance.

Geological facts

Gold is one of the most malleable and ductile metals known; a single gram can be beaten into a sheet covering one square meter. It is chemically inert and does not tarnish or rust.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its extreme weight for its size (density) and its malleability; unlike pyrite ('fool's gold'), real gold will dent or flatten when struck rather than shattering. Found in regions like California, Alaska, Australia, and South Africa.