Is Gold a Mineral?
Gold IS a mineral.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, 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, which means that they occur in nature, are uncombined, and have 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 generally is mixed with other minerals such as silver and platinum in order for it to be useful in applications such as jewelry or currency.
Mineral Information Institute"The Periodic Table"http://www.dani2989.com/
American Federation of Mineralogical Societies"Mohs Scale of Hardness"http://www.getmoneyenergy.com/
"Is Gold a Mineral?." Sophisticated Edge. N.p., n.d. Web. . <http://www.sophisticatededge.com/is-gold-a-mineral.html>.
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