mineral

Gold in Quartz

Gold (Au) in Quartz (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 for quartz, 2.5 for gold; Color: White to translucent quartz with metallic yellow gold flakes; Luster: Vitreous for quartz, metallic for gold; Crystal structure: Trigonal (quartz), cubic (gold); Cleavage: None for quartz, none for gold;…

Hardness: 7 for quartz, 2
Color: White to translucent quartz with metallic yellow gold flakes
Luster: Vitreous for quartz, metallic for gold

Identified July 29, 2026More mineral →

Explore Gold in Quartz in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed via hydrothermal veins where hot, mineral-rich fluids circulate through fractures in rocks, precipitating quartz and native gold as the fluids cool and pressure drops. Found globally in ancient and active orogenic gold deposit belts.

Uses & applications

Primary ore source for extracting elemental gold, used in jewelry, electronics, investment, and as sought-after collector specimens.

Geological facts

Many of the world's largest gold nuggets were found originally encased in quartz matrix before weathering out into placer deposits. Gold in quartz is often associated with sulfide minerals like pyrite.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by the combination of hard, vitreous white quartz hosting heavy, malleable, bright yellow metallic flakes or veins that do not scratch easily or tarnish.