mineral

Gold Nugget

Native Gold (Au)

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

Hardness: 2
Color: Golden yellow to brassy
Luster: Metallic

Identified April 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes where hot, mineral-rich fluids circulate through crustal fractures, often associated with quartz veins. Nuggets are typically secondary deposits weathered out of primary lodes and concentrated in steam beds by water flow.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for investment (bullion), high-end jewelry, electronics (due to high conductivity and corrosion resistance), and as prized specimens for geological collectors.

Geological facts

Pure gold is so malleable that a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet 300 square feet in size. Nuggets are rarely 100% pure; they often contain 5-20% silver (electrum) or traces of copper and iron.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its high density (feels very heavy for its size) and sectility (you can dent it with a pin without it shattering). Common in placer deposits in rivers of the Yukon, California, and Australia.