Rock Identifier
Gold Nugget (Native Gold (Au)) — mineral
mineral

Gold Nugget

Native Gold (Au)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden-yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3

Hardness
2
Color
Golden-yellow
Luster
Metallic
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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden-yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal quartz veins and concentrated through erosion into alluvial placer deposits. Geological age varies from Precambrian to Cenozoic.

Uses & applications

Currency, jewelry, electronics, dentistry, and aerospace due to high conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

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 state in nature.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its high density and malleability (it dents rather than shatters). Commonly found in riverbeds or near quartz outcroppings in mountainous regions like the Sierra Nevada or Yukon.

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