Gold is a heavy metal that is rare in that it occurs almost exclusively in its native form and not in ores.

Chemical Formula: Au
Class: Native Element
Hardness: 2.5-3
Coloration: Golden, yellow

How to identify it/Unique Characteristics or Properties: Gold is a heavy metal that is rare in that it occurs almost exclusively in its native form and not in ores. The only element it regularly binds with to form ores is tellurium. The picture above is a telluride ore with some native gold in it as well. Gold does not normally have crystals, does not tarnish or oxidize over time, and appears in all igneous rock in small quantities. As the other rock erodes, the gold is left as small flakes/scales and can often be found in riverbeds.

Where to find it in…

The Northwest: Alaska, northern California, Oregon
Other: Egypt, South Africa, Australia, Austria, Canada, Brazil, Russia.
Past Uses: Gold has been used extensively in jewelry and money for millennia, and has recently been used in electronic circuits.
How it was Made: Gold can be found in hydrothermal vents and is often associated with quartz or pyrite, and can also be found in large washes of deposits from rivers and floods.
Interesting Facts: Since gold does not tarnish and binds rarely with other minerals, finding old gold can be a startling experience as it still looks new. Ancient Egyptian gold still looks fresh, and Spanish coins recovered from the sea floor are still shiny.