Gold Flake (Placer Gold)

Physical Properties

Hardness: 2.5-3.0 Mohs; Color: Golden-yellow to brassy yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (rarely visible in flakes); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very heavy)

Formation & Geological History

Formed in hydrothermal quartz veins (Lode Gold) and released via erosion into stream beds (Placer Gold). High-density particles settle in river gravels. Can be of any geological age from Archean to recent.

Uses & Applications

Used in currency, jewelry, electronics due to high conductivity and corrosion resistance, and as a hedge investment.

Geological Facts

Gold is incredibly malleable; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. Most 'fool\'s gold' (pyrite) is brittle and shatters, while real gold flakes will bend or dent when poked with a pin.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify by its high density and 'bright' luster that remains constant even in shade. Found in stream sediment, 'pay dirt', and near quartz outcrops in historical gold-bearing regions like California or Alaska.

Identified on: 5/7/2026

Mode: Standard