Placer Gold is often found in streambeds, where it concentrates in the gravels behind the rocks and other low points, due to its density. This placer Gold has most likely weathered out of the host rock, due to erosion and other natural forces. Gold is often found with Quartz, Pyrite, and Arsenopyrite. Gold is often found with Tellurides (subclass of Sulfides). The Gold ores mined in Cripple Creek, Colorado occurred as Sylvanite, which is a Gold and Silver Telluride. Some current Gold mining areas are in; California and South Dakota in the USA, Canada, Russia, and South Africa.

Gold is in the isometric crystal system. It is found as nuggets, grains, wires, dendrites, and arborescent (tree like) crystal clusters. Color can be from a rich yellow to a pale yellow. Gold is usually aloyed with Silver. The higher the Silver content, the paler the color. GOld with a high Silver content (electum) is typically a paler yellow. It has metallic luster. It is opaque. No cleavage. It is very malleable. Streak is yellow. Hardness is 2.5 to 3.0. Specific Gravity is 19.3+. It will dissolve in Aqua Regia, which is a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids. It will form an amalgam with Mercury. Since Mercury will form an amalgam with Gold, it was used in the recovery process early on in mining. The Gold bearing ore would be crushed and amalgamated with the Mercury. This amalgam would be cooked in a retort, with the Mercury coming off as a vapor, leaving behind the Gold.

The name of Gold is thought to be Anglo-Saxon, but is of uncertain origin.

Webmasters Notes:
1. The latest mining in the USA is in western South Carolina. The thin but very long vein (10 miles!) is still being worked.
2. Old photographs of the miners, during the 1800's, will show the effects of Mercury processing Gold in the "olden days". The miners are shown with white or missing hair, missing teeth, and they had a peculiar gate to their walk. All symptoms of Mercury poisoning!

The following reference materials were used in preparing this article:
1. Field Guide to Rocks And Minerals by Frederick H. Pough.
2. Mineralogy For Amateurs by John Sinkankus.
3. Guide to Rocks And Minerals by Simon & Schuster.
4. Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann.
5. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks And Minerals by Charles Chesterman.
6. Gems, Crystals, & Minerals by Anna S. Sofianides, George E. Harlow, and George W. Robinson, Ph.D.
7. Rocks and Minerals by Chris Pellent.
8. Gold and Silver in the West by T.H.Watkins.
9. Mineral Industry in the Early America by Hillary W. St. Clair, Bureau of Mines, US Dept. of Interior.