Gold
Gold is one of the earliest materials worked by humans and still one of the most sought-after. In the US, the 1848 California Gold Rush transformed the nation. Today rockhounds find gold in the same placer deposits — stream gravels where gold concentrated over thousands of years. Montana's rivers, Colorado's mountain streams, and California's Sierra Nevada foothills all yield gold to patient panners.
Physical Properties
Chemical Formula
Au (native element)
Hardness (Mohs)
2.5–3
Color
Bright golden yellow
Luster
Metallic
Crystal System
Cubic (isometric)
Streak
Golden yellow
Cleavage
None
Specific Gravity
19.3
🔍 Field Identification Tips
Yellow streak (pyrite has greenish-black streak). Extremely heavy (SG 19.3 — feels shockingly heavy). Very soft (hardness 2.5 — scratched with fingernail). Malleable — real gold bends rather than breaking. No crystals in placer form. Most finds are tiny flakes; nuggets over 1 gram are exceptional.
Varieties & Forms
📍 Where to Find Gold in the US
Uses & Applications
Jewelry, currency reserve, electronics (corrosion-resistant conductor), dentistry, aerospace coatings.
💰 Collector Value Guide
Spot price ~$60–$65/gram. Nuggets with aesthetic form: 2–10x spot price. Crystallized wire gold specimens: $100–$10,000+ depending on size.
Find Gold With Our Tools
Use the We Lick Rocks app to identify specimens, find dig sites, and connect with local rockhounds.