mineral
Gold
Native Gold (Au)
Hardness: 2.5-3 (Mohs scale); Color: Golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal structure: Isometric (fcc); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 19.3
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Golden yellow
- Luster
- Metallic
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5-3 (Mohs scale); Color: Golden yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal structure: Isometric (fcc); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 19.3
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins and alluvial deposits; created through nucleosynthesis in supernovae and neutron star collisions over billions of years.
Uses & applications
Primary use in jewelry, currency, electronics (due to high conductivity), and aerospace technology.
Geological facts
Gold is chemically inert and does not rust. It is the most malleable and ductile of all metals; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its high density (heavy for its size), distinct yellow streak, and malleability (it bends rather than shatters). Commonly found in quartz veins and riverbeds as nuggets or flakes.
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