mineral
Gold Nugget
Native Gold (Au)
Hardness: 2.5-3.0 (Mohs scale), Color: Golden yellow, Luster: Metallic, Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic), Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 19.3
- Hardness
- 2
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5-3.0 (Mohs scale), Color: Golden yellow, Luster: Metallic, Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic), Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 19.3
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins associated with igneous intrusions; often concentrated in placer deposits (riverbeds) through erosion and water transportation over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Currency, jewelry, electronics (conductive material), aesthetic dental crowns, and investment asset (bullion).
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' or pure metallic state in nature.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its high density/weight (it will feel 'heavy' for its size), high malleability (it will dent, not shatter when struck), and its golden streak. Found in quartz veins or panning in mountain streams.
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