mineral

Gold-bearing quartz or iron-stained sulfide specimen

Native gold (Au), possibly in quartz with limonite/goethite and sulfide remnants

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Irregular metallic yellow-gold areas occur within a brown, rusty matrix; gold has Mohs hardness 2.5–3, very high density, malleable metal, and metallic luster. Quartz, if present, is Mohs 7 with vitreous luster; the image resolution prevents confirmation of crystal structure or cleavage.

Identified August 14, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Gold-bearing quartz or iron-stained sulfide specimen
Scientific name: Native gold (Au), possibly in quartz with limonite/goethite and sulfide remnants
Category: mineral
Identified: August 14, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $5–$50 as an unverified iron-stained specimen; substantially more if assays confirm visible native gold, depending on gold weight and collector quality.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely hydrothermal mineralization in quartz veins, where gold precipitated from hot, mineral-rich fluids and later sulfides weathered to iron oxides. The specimen’s geological age cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Native gold is valuable for jewelry, bullion, electronics, and collecting; quartz and iron oxides are mainly ornamental or specimen materials.

Geological facts

Gold is unusually dense and malleable: a true gold particle deforms or smears rather than crumbling. Pyrite (“fool’s gold”) is harder, brittle, and commonly forms cubic crystals.

Field identification & locations

Common sources include hydrothermal vein districts in Australia, California, Alaska, Canada, and South Africa. Test cautiously with density, streak, and malleability; visual identification alone is unreliable.