Gold Nugget

Physical Properties

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Golden-yellow; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3

Formation & Geological History

Formed in hydrothermal quartz veins and concentrated through erosion into alluvial placer deposits. Geological age varies from Precambrian to Cenozoic.

Uses & Applications

Currency, jewelry, electronics, dentistry, and aerospace due to high conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

Geological Facts

Gold is incredibly malleable; a single ounce can be beaten into a sheet covering 100 square feet. It is one of the few elements found in its native state in nature.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify by its high density and malleability (it dents rather than shatters). Commonly found in riverbeds or near quartz outcroppings in mountainous regions like the Sierra Nevada or Yukon.

Identified on: 5/7/2026

Mode: Standard