It is estimated that less than 2 percent of the world’s gold supply remains in the form of natural nuggets. Many of the world's governments strictly control the search and sale of natural gold nuggets. Much of the gold found in the last 2 centuries have been melted down to form bullion bars and coins. Tragically the largest gold specimens ever found met the same fate and have been lost forever. Gold nuggets contiune to be found across the world - with each locale producing a variety of color and purity. Some of the most sought after nuggets come from Australia, The United States and Canada. In the United States large gold nugget resources are primarily located in Alaska, California and Oregon. Only a handful of states produce gold on an industrial scale. Nuggets are becoming increasingly rare and more difficult to find.

Did you know that a 5 carat diamond is easier to find than a 1 ounce gold nugget? Currently it is largely left up to the the lone prospector to toil to find these nuggets and maintain the tradition of past centuries. It is for this reason that the discriminating collector can still obtain gold nuggets in a variety of sizes, colors and textures. The rarity of larger gold in nugget form and the fact that most gold is melted down to form bullion bars or coins provides the uniqueness of nuggets and contributes to the romantic allure of gold in its natural form.

Browse gold nuggets for sale
Learn how to pan for gold with our proven gold panning concentrates.

Nuggets and Metal Spot Price

Gold nuggets are some of the finest mineral specimens in the world. Each gold nugget is highly unique and has its special own character. All of the nuggets offered here grade very well and are about 92% to 98% pure gold (22K to 23K gold). Gold nuggets typically sell for a higher price than the gold spot price because they are considered gem stones and are far more rare than gold flake or gold dust. Most of the bullion that is traded on the market is made from gold dust melted down to form coins or bars; a full 98% of the world's gold is in the form of gold dust and not gold nuggets. You can expect to pay a premium to spot price for quality placer and lode gold in raw nugget form. (Gold found in rivers and streams are known as "placer gold" while the gold found in bodies of ore and veins are known as "lode gold". Prospectors during the Gold Rush would often attempt to trace the placer deposits in rivers to its source and then begin the hard rock mining of quartz outcroppings looking for the tell tale signs of stringers of gold or high mineralization.)

Facts About Gold

Ever since its first discovery by primitive man, gold has been treasured for its unmatched luster, beauty and value. Today, gold continues to enjoy widespread appeal as an investment and storehouse of value. Gold is an internationally recognized monetary and financial asset held in reserve by all governments. It is said that it is so rare that all the gold ever mined could fit into a cube measuring just 20 yards on each side.

What is Gold?

Gold is a heavy, yellow, metallic chemical element. It is a precious metal, with a high degree of ductility and malleability, that is used in the manufacture of a wide range of products including jewelry, electronics, and coinage. Gold forms in high temperature hydrothermal quartz veins. These veins carry the gold to the earth’s surface through super heated solutions and this material deposits into fissures to form ore bodies. Erosion of the host rock by wind and water washes the gold from the ore bodies. Some of the gold stays near the vein and water carries some of the gold into rivers and streams.

See our free articles on where and how to find gold Gold Prospecting.

-goldnuggets-