mineral
Gold and Diamond
Native Gold (Au) and Diamond (C)
Gold: Hardness 2.5–3, metallic luster, yellow color, face-centered cubic structure. Diamond: Hardness 10, adamantine luster, colorless/varied, isometric-hexoctahedral structure.
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Physical properties
Gold: Hardness 2.5–3, metallic luster, yellow color, face-centered cubic structure. Diamond: Hardness 10, adamantine luster, colorless/varied, isometric-hexoctahedral structure.
Formation & geological history
Gold often forms in hydrothermal quartz veins or as placer deposits from eroded igneous rocks. Diamonds form under extreme pressure and temperature in Earth's mantle and are brought to the surface via kimberlite pipes.
Uses & applications
Primary use in jewelry, investment (bullion), high-end electronics due to conductivity (gold), and industrial abrasives (diamond).
Geological facts
Gold is so malleable that a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. Diamonds are the hardest known natural substance on Earth.
Field identification & locations
Identify gold by its high specific gravity and lack of cleavage; identify diamonds by their ability to scratch all other minerals. Commonly found in South Africa, Australia, and Canada.
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