Soft metal with characteristic yellow color. Highest malleability and
ductility of any element. Unaffected by air, water, acids (except
HNO3-HCl), and alkalis. Used as bullion, in jewelry, electronics, and
glass.
Diagnostic tests:
Commonly occurs as the native element. Gold is easily reduced from it's
minerals on charcoal by heating in the reducing flame. The resultant
metallic bead is gold in color and malleable.
References
Emsley, J., 1991; THE ELEMENTS : Sec. Ed.,
Clarendon Press, Oxford, 251 p.
(* - Mineral Name Is Not IMA Approved)
(! - New Dana classification added or changed from Danas New Mineralogy)
(? - IMA Discredited Mineral Species Name)
There are 33 minerals with Au in the Mineralogy Database.