mineral

Gold Nugget

Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale. Color: Golden-yellow, yellow, or reddish-yellow. Luster: Metallic. Crystal structure: Isometric (cubic). Cleavage: None (hackly fracture). Specific gravity: Very high (approximately 19.3).

Hardness: 2
Color: Golden-yellow, yellow, or reddish-yellow
Luster: Metallic

Identified July 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in hydrothermal veins where gold-bearing fluids circulate through fractures in rocks and precipitate, or in placer deposits where weathering and erosion concentrate the heavy metal in rivers and streams over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry, investment as a store of value, electronics, and various industrial and medical applications.

Geological facts

Gold is extremely malleable and ductile; a single ounce can be drawn into a wire 50 miles long. The largest gold nugget ever found was the Welcome Stranger in Victoria, Australia, weighing over 2,300 ounces.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its high specific gravity (feels heavy for its size), bright metallic yellow color that does not tarnish or streak green/black, and softness. Found globally in auriferous gravels and quartz veins.