mineral

Gold Nugget

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5-3 (Mohs scale), Color: Golden yellow, Luster: Metallic, Crystal Structure: Cubic, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very high)

Hardness: 2

Identified May 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5-3 (Mohs scale), Color: Golden yellow, Luster: Metallic, Crystal Structure: Cubic, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very high)

Formation & geological history

Found in hydrothermal quartz veins or as secondary deposits (alluvial/placer) in riverbeds where erosion has concentrated the heavy metal. Formation occurs via precipitation from superheated fluids in the Earth's crust.

Uses & applications

Financial standard, jewelry, high-end electronics, dentistry, and aerospace due to its conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

Geological facts

Gold is incredibly malleable; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. Most gold found in nature is alloyed with small amounts of silver (electrum).

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its weight (extremely heavy for its size), lack of cleavage, and malleability (it dents or flattens under pressure rather than shattering like Pyrite).