mineral
Gold Nugget
Native Gold (Au)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 2.5-3.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow to brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal system: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy).
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Golden yellow to brassy
- Luster
- Metallic
Identified More mineral →
Explore Gold Nugget in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5-3.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow to brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal system: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy).
Formation & geological history
Formed via hydrothermal veins where hot, mineral-rich fluids deposit gold in quartz veins, or as placer deposits in riverbeds where eroded gold is concentrated by water flow.
Uses & applications
Primary use in jewelry, investment (bullion), electronics due to high conductivity, and dentistry.
Geological facts
Gold is incredibly malleable; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. It is one of the few elements found in its native form in nature.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its high weight (heavier than lead), malleability (it dents rather than shatters when struck), and persistent color even in shade. Commonly found in quartz veins or stream gravels in volcanic terrain.
