mineral

Gold Ore / Native Gold

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5–3.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow, brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: Approx. 19.3 (pure)

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

Identified April 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5–3.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow, brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: Approx. 19.3 (pure)

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in hydrothermal quartz veins and as placer deposits where it has been eroded and concentrated by water. Most primary deposits formed during periods of major tectonic and magmatic activity throughout Earth's history.

Uses & applications

Primary source for the world's gold supply; used in jewelry, electronics (connectors), medicine, aerospace, and as a financial investment/currency.

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 high density (feels heavy for its size), extreme malleability (it will dent rather than shatter when struck), and its inability to tarnish or dissolve in common acids. Common in quartz veins and stream beds near volcanic regions.