mineral
Gold Nugget
Native Gold (Au)
Hardness: 2.5-3 (Mohs scale), Color: Golden yellow, Luster: Metallic, Crystal Structure: Cubic, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 19.3
- Hardness
- 2
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5-3 (Mohs scale), Color: Golden yellow, Luster: Metallic, Crystal Structure: Cubic, Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 19.3
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal quartz veins by precipitation from hot mineral-rich fluids deep in the crust, or concentrated in placer deposits through erosion and stream transport.
Uses & applications
Financial investment (bullion), jewelry, electronics (conductivity), and dentistry because it is non-reactive.
Geological facts
Gold is incredibly malleable; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. Most terrestrial gold originated from meteorite impacts billions of years ago.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its density (it is much heavier than it looks), malleability (it bends rather than shatters), and bright yellow streak. Found in quartz veins or stream beds.
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