mineral
Gold Nugget
Native Gold (Au)
Hardness: 2.5-3 (Mohs scale), Color: Golden-yellow, Luster: Metallic, Crystal system: Isometric, Cleavage: None, Specific gravity: 19.3 (very high)
- Hardness
- 2
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5-3 (Mohs scale), Color: Golden-yellow, Luster: Metallic, Crystal system: Isometric, Cleavage: None, Specific gravity: 19.3 (very high)
Formation & geological history
Formed primarily in hydrothermal quartz veins or secondary alluvial deposits where it is concentrated by water action (placer deposits). Rocks containing gold can be of various geological ages.
Uses & applications
Investment, jewelry, electronics, dentistry, and aerospace due to high conductivity and corrosion resistance.
Geological facts
Gold is one of the most ductile and malleable metals; one ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. It is physically soft but chemically almost indestructible.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high density and malleability (it bends rather than shatters). Common in riverbeds, quartz veins, and historic mining districts in California, Alaska, and Australia.
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