mineral
Gold Ore / Native Gold
Native Gold (Au)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 2.5–3.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow, brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: Approx. 19.3 (pure)
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Golden yellow, brassy
- Luster
- Metallic
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5–3.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden yellow, brassy; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: Approx. 19.3 (pure)
Formation & geological history
Formed primarily in hydrothermal quartz veins and as placer deposits where it has been eroded and concentrated by water. Most primary deposits formed during periods of major tectonic and magmatic activity throughout Earth's history.
Uses & applications
Primary source for the world's gold supply; used in jewelry, electronics (connectors), medicine, aerospace, and as a financial investment/currency.
Geological facts
Gold is one of the least reactive chemical elements and is solid under standard conditions. It is so malleable that a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its high density (feels heavy for its size), extreme malleability (it will dent rather than shatter when struck), and its inability to tarnish or dissolve in common acids. Common in quartz veins and stream beds near volcanic regions.
