mineral

Gold Ore in Matrix

Native Gold (Au) in Quartz/Limonite host rock

Hardness: 2.5–3 (Gold), 7 (Quartz); Color: Metallic yellow, rusty orange-brown; Luster: Metallic (gold) to dull/vitreous (matrix); Crystal Structure: Isometric (Gold); Specific Gravity: 19.3 (pure gold).

Hardness: 2
Color: Metallic yellow, rusty orange-brown
Luster: Metallic (gold) to dull/vitreous (matrix)

Identified April 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins where hot, mineral-rich fluids circulate through fractures in the earth's crust. Often found in Precambrian to Cenozoic geological environments associated with metamorphic belts or igneous intrusions.

Uses & applications

Primary source of gold for currency, jewelry, electronics, and investment. High-grade specimens are prized by geological collectors.

Geological facts

Most gold is found as tiny grains locked inside silver, copper, or quartz. Visible 'free-milling' gold like this is highly sought after by prospectors and is often found in 'gossan' zones—the weathered upper part of an ore deposit.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its non-tarnishing yellow metallic luster, malleability (it dents rather than shatters if poked with a needle), and high density. Commonly found in quartz veins or placer deposits near mountain ranges.

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