Gold Nugget

Physical Properties

Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Golden-yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3

Formation & Geological History

Primary deposits form from hydrothermal fluids in quartz veins; secondary 'placer' deposits form when erosion washes gold into streams where it concentrates due to high density.

Uses & Applications

Used in electronics for high conductivity, jewelry for aesthetic and non-reactive properties, as a financial reserve/investment, and in dentistry.

Geological Facts

Gold is incredibly ductile; a single ounce can be drawn into a wire 50 miles long. Most gold on Earth's surface arrived via meteorite impacts billions of years ago.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify by its 'malleability'—it will dent rather than shatter like pyrite ('Fool\'s Gold'). Look for it in stream beds, inside bends of rivers, or in quartz outcroppings.

Identified on: 5/7/2026

Mode: Standard