Geology.com advise, "Native gold is an element and a mineral. It is highly prized by people because of its attractive color, resistance to tarnish, and its many special properties - some of which are unique to gold. Its rarity, usefulness, and desirability make it command a high price.
Trace amounts of gold are found almost everywhere, but large deposits are found in only a few locations. Although there are about twenty different gold minerals, all of them are quite rare. Therefore, most gold found in nature is in the form of the native metal.
Gold occurs in hydrothermal veins deposited by ascending solutions, as disseminated particles through some sulfide deposits, and in placer deposits."
Physical Properties of Gold |
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| Chemical Classification | Native element |
| Color | Gold yellow |
| Streak | Gold yellow |
| Luster | Metallic |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mohs Hardness | 2.5 to 3 |
| Specific Gravity | 19.3 |
| Diagnostic Properties | Color, hardness, streak, specific gravity |
| Chemical Composition | Gold, Au |
| Crystal System | Isometric |
| Uses | Numerous uses in jewelry; coinage; bullion; currency backing; an electrical conductor used in computers, circuits, appliances, cell phones, etc.; dental work; gilding. |
Vein gold: White "vein quartz" with gold. This specimen is approximately one inch (2.5 centimeters) across.
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