mineral

Gold

Native Gold (Au)

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Metallic yellow, golden; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very high).

Hardness: 2
Color: Metallic yellow, golden
Luster: Metallic

Identified January 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Metallic yellow, golden; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 19.3 (very high).

Formation & geological history

Primary gold deposits form from hydrothermal fluids circulating through the crust, often associated with igneous intrusions. Secondary deposits (placers) form through the erosion of these veins and the concentration of heavy gold particles in riverbeds.

Uses & applications

Primary use in jewelry and as a financial investment/currency. Extensively used in electronics due to high conductivity and corrosion resistance; also used in dentistry and aerospace.

Geological facts

Gold is incredibly ductile; a single ounce can be stretched into a wire 50 miles long. It is virtually indestructible and does not tarnish or oxidize, which is why it has been prized for millennia.

Field identification & locations

In the field, gold is identified by its extreme density (it will sink rapidly in a pan) and its malleability (it can be flattened with a hammer whereas 'fool's gold' will shatter). Commonly found in quartz veins or as nuggets and flakes in alluvial (river) deposits.