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Electrum
Electrum is native elements (natural alloy), (Au,Ag). In the hand, it rates 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale, and it runs pale brassy yellow and greenish gold. Looks like gold that's lost some sun, paler, almost greenish-yellow metal, heavy and soft, that never tarnishes away its gleam; nature's own gold-silver alloy with 20%-plus silver.
The geology.
Electrum carries the formula (Au,Ag). It belongs to the cubic system. The trade files it under native elements (natural alloy).
It sits at 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads metallic. Light behaviour is opaque. Specific gravity runs 12.5 to 15.5 (varies with silver content). The streak is pale gold to silvery yellow, shining. It breaks with no cleavage; hackly fracture.
Looks like gold that's lost some sun, paler, almost greenish-yellow metal, heavy and soft, that never tarnishes away its gleam; nature's own gold-silver alloy with 20%-plus silver.
Common cuts are flakes and grains, wires, dendritic crusts or nuggets.
The origins.
Epithermal veins and placers, western Nevada, Comstock Lode, Anatolia (Turkey), and Lydia's ancient river Pactolus.
On value, the database notes: precious-metal value plus collector premium for crystallized pieces.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, electrum is said to blend solar gold and lunar silver into one balancing current.
Included for completeness. Tradition is worth knowing about, and it is worth keeping separate from the mineralogy.
Spotting the real thing.
Looks like gold that's lost some sun, paler, almost greenish-yellow metal, heavy and soft, that never tarnishes away its gleam; nature's own gold-silver alloy with 20%-plus silver.
Brass filings and gilded lead pose as natural electrum in scam 'nugget' lots, density and softness expose them quickly.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Native gold | Pure gold runs deeper butter-yellow and denser (SG up to 19); the pale tint is the silver talking |
| Pyrite | Pyrite is hard, brittle, and streaks greenish-black, the eternal fool's test |
| Chalcopyrite | Brassier, brittle, tarnishes peacock, black-green streak |
At-home tests.
These checks cost nothing. Daylight, a 10x loupe and a little patience are the whole kit for electrum.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| By eye | Soft and malleable, dents instead of shattering |
| By eye | Heavy beyond any sulfide impostor |
| By eye | Pale yellow streak distinguishes from pyrite's dark one |
Anything that scratches, burns or dissolves the piece is a lab job. Get it appraised rather than testing it apart.
Care & handling.
At 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale this is a soft material. Keep it as a display piece, store it apart from harder stones, and skip daily-wear settings.
It breaks with no cleavage; hackly fracture, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Warm water and a soft cloth clean almost everything. Ultrasonic tanks, steamers and household cleaners are where pieces get ruined.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is (Au,Ag). Crystal system: Cubic. Specific gravity: 12.5 to 15.5 (varies with silver content). Streak: Pale gold to silvery yellow, shining. Cleavage and fracture: No cleavage; hackly fracture.
How it reaches the market
Epithermal veins and placers, western Nevada, Comstock Lode, Anatolia (Turkey), and Lydia's ancient river Pactolus.
What it gets confused with
Native gold: Pure gold runs deeper butter-yellow and denser (SG up to 19); the pale tint is the silver talking. Pyrite: Pyrite is hard, brittle, and streaks greenish-black, the eternal fool's test. Chalcopyrite: Brassier, brittle, tarnishes peacock, black-green streak.
What it is worth
Precious-metal value plus collector premium for crystallized pieces.
Where buyers get caught
Brass filings and gilded lead pose as natural electrum in scam 'nugget' lots, density and softness expose them quickly.
One more thing
The world's first true coins, struck in Lydia around 600 BC, were electrum straight from the river, King Croesus' refining of it into separate gold and silver coinage helped make his name a synonym for rich.
An education-first guide.
No product links here. We do not sell electrum, and a guide that only covers our own shelves would not be much of a guide.
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