Gold

Valued since antiquity, gold is a precious native metal (Au) that is exceptionally malleable, ductile, and the least reactive of all metals. It crystallizes in the cubic system but is most often found as octahedral crystals, dendrites, nuggets, or flakes, with a metallic luster, a golden-yellow streak, no cleavage, and a hackly fracture. Native gold usually contains some silver and occasionally copper, giving a specific gravity between 15.60 and 19.30. Major deposits occur in South Africa, Russia, Australia, and the United States, and the metal's rarity and permanence have long sustained its use in coinage and jewelry. Its extreme density, several times that of common rock-forming minerals, allows recovery by simple gravity methods such as panning.

Gold is a precious metal that has been valued since antiquity. It is extremely malleable and ductile, and is the most non-reactive of all metals. Native gold typically contains silver and sometimes copper. Major deposits occur in South Africa, Russia, Australia, and the United States.