mineral

Gold-Bearing Quartz

Silicon Dioxide with Native Gold (SiO2 + Au)

Hardness: 7 (Quartz); Color: Milky white to yellowish-tan due to iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65 (higher if gold-rich).

Hardness: 7 (Quartz)
Color: Milky white to yellowish-tan due to iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified April 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins where mineral-rich hot fluids precipitate quartz and metals into host rock fractures. Common in orogenic belts and tectonic boundaries.

Uses & applications

Primary source for hard-rock gold mining; ornamental use in jewelry; high-grade specimens are valued by collectors.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's crust, but only a fraction contains gold. Iron oxidation often gives these specimens a 'rusty' or tan appearance, which is a key indicator for prospectors.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), waxy luster, and conchoidal fracture. Often found near granite intrusions or in creek beds as 'float'. Collectors should look for heavy weight or visible metallic specks.

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