mineral

Auriferous Quartz (Gold-bearing Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with trace Gold (Au) and Iron Oxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to tan with rusty brown iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Structure: Hexagonal (often massive); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to tan with rusty brown iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to tan with rusty brown iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Structure: Hexagonal (often massive); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed via hydrothermal activity where mineral-rich hot fluids circulate through crustal fractures, depositing silica and ores in veins. Found in metamorphic or igneous terrains.

Uses & applications

Primary source for gold mining and extraction. Highly valued as geological specimens for gold prospectors and mineral collectors.

Geological facts

This specimen shows the classic 'rusty' appearance characteristic of gossan or oxidized gold-bearing veins, where sulfide minerals like pyrite have weathered into iron oxides.

Field identification & locations

Identify by searching for white or tan quartz veins in metamorphic host rock; iron staining (limonite/hematite) is a key indicator for potential mineralization.