mineral

Gold

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 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 January 22, 2026More mineral →

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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).