Is Gold a Mineral?
Gold is a mineral. A mineral is a naturally occurring, homogeneous, inorganic solid substance having a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure, color, and hardness. Metals such as silver and gold are minerals.
Gold Is a Native Element Mineral
Number 79 on the periodic table of elements, Gold (Au) is classified as a native element mineral, meaning it occurs in nature, is uncombined, and has a distinct mineral structure.
Gold Is Malleable
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which rates substances and minerals on a scale of 1-10 ranging from softest to hardest, places gold at a 2.3, making it one of the softest minerals.
Gold is generally mixed with other minerals, such as silver and platinum, for it to be useful in applications such as jewelry or currency.
Resources
- Ptable.com – “The Periodic Table – Gold.“
- American Federation of Mineralogical Societies – “Mohs Scale of Hardness.”
