The facts
What gold actually is
The species behind gold is gold (native element), Au; it forms in the cubic system.
Free-electron plasma reflectance of the metal; silver content pales the colour towards electrum is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a specific gravity of about 15.5–19.3, with none; highly malleable and ductile cleavage.
Where gold comes from
Commercial material comes from Eagle's Nest Mine, Placer County, California, USA, Round Mountain, Nevada, USA, Serra Pelada, Pará, Brazil, Verespatak (Roșia Montană), Romania and Witwatersrand, South Africa.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How gold is treated
Crystallised specimen gold is sometimes acid-cleaned to remove quartz, which is accepted; wire gold is occasionally repaired or mounted with adhesive. Beware cast or electroformed fakes sold as natural crystals.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What gold is confused with
Watch for Pyrite (fool's gold), Chalcopyrite and Weathered mica flakes — these are what turn up sold under this name.
Because the material is opaque, refractive index is no help. Specific gravity around 15.5–19.3, hardness of 2.5–3, streak and magnification do the work instead.
What gold is used for
The trades that buy gold are jewellery, mineral collecting, technical and precision components, heavy industry and metallurgy. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat, by the specimen or by the piece.
Durability and care
Gold is 2.5–3 on the Mohs scale, with none; highly malleable and ductile cleavage.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What gold costs
Expect roughly Specimen gold carries a premium of 2–10x bullion value; fine crystallised pieces $200–$2,000 per gram, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is gold treated, and how?
Crystallised specimen gold is sometimes acid-cleaned to remove quartz, which is accepted; wire gold is occasionally repaired or mounted with adhesive. Beware cast or electroformed fakes sold as natural crystals.
Where does gold come from?
Eagle's Nest Mine, Placer County, California, USA, Round Mountain, Nevada, USA, Serra Pelada, Pará, Brazil, Verespatak (Roșia Montană), Romania and Witwatersrand, South Africa. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is gold hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 2.5–3 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does gold cost?
Indicatively Specimen gold carries a premium of 2–10x bullion value; fine crystallised pieces $200–$2,000 per gram. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is gold confused with?
Most often Pyrite (fool's gold), Chalcopyrite and Weathered mica flakes. Since the material is opaque, separation relies on specific gravity near 15.5–19.3, hardness and magnification.
What is gold used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting, technical and precision components, heavy industry and metallurgy. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for gold?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about gold