Malleable metallic element, Au; sp. gr. 19; hardness 2.5; bright yellow, but yellowish-white if silver is also present; occurs native as grains, threads, wire, sponge, and in many other forms, and may be combined with a variety of other metals including silver, copper, palladium, rhodium, or bismuth; occurs in placer deposits, in residual soils, and in veins associated with a variety of igneous and sedimentary rocks.