mineral

Gold-bearing quartz vein ore

Native gold (Au) in quartz with iron-oxide alteration; likely limonite/goethite and possibly sulfides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Metallic yellow-gold patches and nuggets occur in white-to-gray quartz and dark altered host rock. Gold has Mohs hardness 2.5–3, very high specific gravity (~19.3), malleable texture, and metallic luster; quartz is hardness 7 with a glassy luster and no cleavage.

Identified September 14, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Gold-bearing quartz vein ore
Scientific name: Native gold (Au) in quartz with iron-oxide alteration; likely limonite/goethite and possibly sulfides
Category: mineral
Identified: September 14, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Unverified common ore: $10–$100; attractive confirmed gold specimens: roughly $200–$5,000+, depending on gold weight, crystallization, provenance, and assay.

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

Formed when hydrothermal fluids deposited gold-bearing quartz in fractures, commonly during orogenic mountain-building events from the Precambrian to Cenozoic. Surface weathering can oxidize pyrite and enrich residual native gold.

Uses & applications

Gold is used for jewelry, electronics, dentistry, and investment; quartz-rich ore is valuable mainly as mine feed or a specimen. Attractive, verified hand specimens may command collector premiums.

Geological facts

Bright yellow material may be native gold, but tarnished sulfides, mica, or iron oxides can look similar. Gold remains yellow in any lighting, is unusually heavy, and bends or smears rather than crumbling.

Field identification & locations

Common in hydrothermal quartz veins and placer districts worldwide, including Australia, California, Nevada, Canada, South Africa, and Ghana. Test with a streak, density, malleability, and professional assay; visual identification alone is unreliable.