mineral

Gold-bearing quartz vein fragment (probable placer gold specimen)

Quartz (SiO₂) with probable native gold (Au) and iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: quartz 7, gold 2.5–3 Mohs; gray-white quartz with yellow metallic-looking patches and brown iron oxides. Quartz is glassy and crystalline; gold is malleable, dense, and metallic rather than flaky or earthy.

Hardness: quartz 7, gold 2

Identified September 17, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Gold-bearing quartz vein fragment (probable placer gold specimen)
Scientific name: Quartz (SiO₂) with probable native gold (Au) and iron-oxide staining
Category: mineral
Identified: September 17, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

$1–$20 if ordinary quartz or mica; roughly $25–$200+ if verified gold-bearing, depending on gold content, specimen quality, and provenance.

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 weathered quartz-vein material released into a stream and naturally concentrated with placer minerals; the iron staining reflects oxidation of sulfides. The specimen’s exact geological age and gold identity cannot be confirmed from the photograph alone.

Uses & applications

Gold-bearing quartz is collected, assayed, and occasionally processed for precious metal; quartz itself is used in glass, abrasives, electronics, and construction. Attractive pieces may be sold as display specimens.

Geological facts

Bright yellow material may also be mica, iron-stained clay, or sulfide minerals rather than gold; visual identification is unreliable. Gold is confirmed by its softness, extreme density, streak, and assay.

Field identification & locations

Look for yellow metal that stays bright, bends or smears under gentle pressure, leaves a yellow streak, and sinks exceptionally fast; do not scratch valuable material without permission. Common in auriferous quartz veins and gold-bearing stream gravels worldwide.