mineral
Gold Nugget
Native Gold (Au)
Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Rich golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (rarely visible in nuggets); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Rich golden yellow
- Luster
- Metallic
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Rich golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (rarely visible in nuggets); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal quartz veins or concentrated in alluvial placer deposits through erosion. Often associated with the Cenozoic era in many active mining regions.
Uses & applications
Currency, jewelry, electronics, investment, and high-value collecting.
Geological facts
Gold is one of the most malleable and ductile metals known; one ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. It is chemically inert and does not tarnish or rust.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its high density (feels heavy for its size), metallic luster that doesn't change when shadowed, and softness (it can be dented with a needle, unlike pyrite). Found in stream beds or vein outcroppings.
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