mineral
Gold
Native Gold (Au)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 2.5-3 on Mohs scale; Color: Metallic yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very dense)
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Metallic yellow
- Luster
- Metallic
Identified More mineral →
Explore Gold in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5-3 on Mohs scale; Color: Metallic yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very dense)
Formation & geological history
Formed primarily in hydrothermal quartz veins by precipitation from hot, mineral-rich fluids deep in the Earth's crust; also found in secondary alluvial (placer) deposits created by erosion and gravity concentration.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in jewelry, coinage, and electronics due to its conductivity and resistance to corrosion; also a critical financial asset and investment material.
Geological facts
Gold is one of the most malleable and ductile metals known; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. It is chemically inert and does not tarnish in air or water.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its high density, 'gold-yellow' streak, and malleability (it dents rather than shatters when struck). It is often found in quartz veins or as nuggets and flakes in stream beds (California, Alaska, Australia, and South Africa).
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous