mineral

Gold Ore (Lode Gold)

Native Gold (Au) in Matrix

Hardness: 2.5-3; Color: Brass-yellow or golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (pure).

Hardness: 2
Color: Brass-yellow or golden yellow
Luster: Metallic

Identified May 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5-3; Color: Brass-yellow or golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (pure).

Formation & geological history

Formed via hydrothermal processes where hot, mineral-rich fluids circulate through crustal fractures, often during mountain-building events. It is most commonly found in quartz veins or associated with sulfide minerals.

Uses & applications

Primary source for jewelry, investment bullion, electronics (conductors), and dentistry.

Geological facts

Gold is one of the least reactive chemical elements and is solid under standard conditions. Most of the gold on Earth today arrived via meteorite impacts long after the planet cooled.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its high density and malleability; unlike pyrite (Fool's Gold), real gold will not shatter when struck and will leave a golden-yellow streak on a tile. Look for it in quartz veins or stream beds.