mineral
Gold
Native Gold (Au)
Hardness: 2.5-3.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric/Cubic; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Golden yellow
- Luster
- Metallic
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5-3.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric/Cubic; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3
Formation & geological history
Primary deposits form in hydrothermal quartz veins and volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. Secondary deposits (placer) form through weathering and erosion, concentrating in riverbeds. Occurs across all geological ages.
Uses & applications
Primary use in investment (bullion), jewelry, high-end electronics due to conductivity, and dentistry.
Geological facts
Gold is incredibly malleable; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering nearly 100 square feet. It is chemically inert and does not tarnish or rust.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its high density, extreme malleability (it will dent rather than shatter), and persistent yellow streak. Commonly found in quartz veins or as flakes/nuggets in stream sediments.
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Mineral/Rock
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Green Apatite on Albite
Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]
mineral