Gold nuggets are what inspired all the major Gold Rushes throughout history across the world, and they are the ultimate objective of gold seekers. However, they are rare and hard to mine, and the locations to find them are unpredictable. The way the form is what makes them so unique.
Gold nuggets originate from gold-bearing lodes. These derive from denser underground locations of the Earth, emerging on the surface through volcanic activity. Nuggets are pieces of naturally-occurring gold, detached from the lode, and then transported by natural forces in nearby sites like rivers.
Understanding how gold nuggets reach the surface of the Earth is at the core of every successful prospecting or mining operation. Find out more below!
Table of Contents
What Are Gold Nuggets?
If you are starting your journey as a prospector, the chances are that your ultimate goal is to find one or more gold nuggets. These are larger pieces of gold that occur naturally in nature[1], and they are made of the native metal.
Prospectors can retrieve gold nuggets through simple prospecting methods such as panning for gold or sluicing. Metal detectors, dry-washers, and suction dredges are also effective gold-recovery methods. However, gold nuggets fuel more extensive mining operations – for which corporations invest in more expensive mining equipment and claims.
Gold can also be found in other forms, such as flakes, flour, and fine gold. These are much more common than nuggets, but they are also harder to mine due to their smaller size. An excellent way to classify gold nuggets is through mesh screen[2] – something that has become the unit of measure for prospectors.
How Do Gold Nuggets Form?
Initially, scientists believed that nuggets would form in specific locations on Earth’s surface, where the prospectors would retrieve them. However, several more recent studies have shown how most of the nuggets recovered boasts a similar composition. Among their characteristics, they also contain silver residues and a crystalline structure, which are telltale signs that they did not form on the surface.
These characteristics need extremely high temperatures to form, which indicates that they derive from much denser and hotter locations underground (hypogene origins), which is nearer to the center of the Earth.
Geological processes such as weathering, eruptions, and volcanic activity have caused this metal to emerge to the surface. This process can take several decades, centuries, or millennia to replenish little portions of the gold already mined.
Gold reaches the surface of the Earth under the form of lodes or veins[3]. These are sections of a magmatic rock (igneous rock) that boast gold at its center. Often these veins are accompanied by residues of quartz[4].
From the main lode, natural forces such as winds and rains continue to erode pieces of gold, breaking them down and detaching them from the vein. From here, the gold nuggets start to travel towards the elevation’s bottom, from which natural forces transport them to water sources.
Rivers, creeks, and streams often boast the highest concentrations of gold nuggets[5]. This is because, once they have left the lode and met the course of a river, the gold particles will continue moving along with the stream. The journey continues until the current becomes weak enough for the particles to sink to the bottom of a streambed finally. Here is where most prospectors find them.
Composition of Gold Nuggets
Surprisingly, gold nuggets are not composed just of gold. On average, nuggets boast a percentage of gold that varies between 83% to 95% of their masses. From these percentages, it is possible to calculate the purity of a nugget in karats.
While the percentage of gold in nuggets and flakes can vary, the fineness of this metal can fall under these categories:
- 24 karats – 99%
- 22 karats – 91.7%
- 20 karats – 83.3%
- 18 karats – 75%
- 14 karats – 58.3%
- 10 karats – 41.7%
24-karat gold is classified as pure gold, while the rest of these types contain other alloys in different quantities. These values can change drastically, depending on the kind of gold retrieved. Also, the location in which the prospector found the nugget can indicate how pure the metal is.
For example, Australian nuggets are 23-carat or higher, which makes them some of the most sought-after, highest-quality ones. At the same time, Alaskan nuggets are known to be of lower quality. An expert prospector dealing with a gold nugget might be able to estimate its fineness by its color. Lastly, depending on what rock, mineral, or soil they are found, nuggets can take different hues and tones.
The Value of Gold Nuggets
Gold nuggets are among the most valuable discoveries a prospector can make. However, their value truly depends on their purity and on the conditions on which they are sold. Usually, buyers will offer around 70% to 80% of the market price[6] for nuggets and flakes. While today the price of gold is rising rapidly, the monetary value of a nugget depends on the prospector’s expertise.
Knowing how to clean and prepare your nuggets for sale – as well as what you should be asking for – can drastically influence the profits. However, gold nuggets have another fundamental value to consider, which is related to research and geological studies.
What Can Be Done With Gold Nuggets
Gold nuggets serve several purposes. They can be studied and examined to better understand the history of our planet and its formation. Many prospectors also opt to sell them for profit or create pieces of jewelry out of it.
Where to Find Gold Nuggets
Finding gold nuggets has always been the main objective of prospectors and the driving force behind some significant Gold Rushes in the United States, Australia, and South Africa. Identifying the locations in which it is more likely to find gold nuggets is tricky, and not many prospectors have the chance of owning one.
However, having an in-depth knowledge of the geological formation of a precise site is essential to pinpoint a viable location to start prospecting. If you are new to a website, borrowing or investing in topographic maps is necessary.
Alternatively, you could opt to head to locations where gold has already been found in the past. However, these sites often boast fine gold and gold flour rather than nuggets. Joining a prospecting association[7] can also be an excellent way to have access to claimed areas.
Generally, rivers, creeks, and other waterways boast more significant concentrations of gold particles and nuggets. This is mainly due to the natural movements of such particles caused by natural agents. In this case, using a gold pan or a sluice box can make your prospecting efforts hugely successful.
Other prospectors who prefer to search locations away from waterways can also use metal detectors for this task. However, it is essential to notice that gold targets are not the best-sounding on such devices, and a whole other skill set might be needed in this case.
Conclusion
Gold nuggets are the goal and dream of every prospector. They can be incredibly valuable and increase the profits seen from your prospecting efforts. However, gold nuggets are also incredibly rare, especially if you wish to prospect in areas that have already been exploited.
However, having a deep understanding of the geology and history of a specific location allows you to identify where these naturally-occurring pieces of gold can be found. Since they are extremely rare on the Earth’s surface, retrieving them through the use of inexpensive equipment such as pans and sluice boxes can help you increase your profits.