Gold nugget

A gold nugget is a naturally occurring, compact piece of gold that has become concentrated into a lump. Nuggets occur, among other settings, in alluvial deposits, where weathered gold from bedrock has been moved and concentrated by flowing water. Their shapes vary, and a specimen may contain or be attached to other minerals such as quartz.

The term primarily describes form and occurrence. It does not by itself establish that a particular object is natural gold, its provenance, fineness, or value. Appearance alone cannot securely identify the material. When needed, instrumental analysis such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) may help, subject to the limitations of near-surface measurement.

Sources: Geoscience Australia: Gold; Australian Museum: Maitland Bar Gold Nugget.