Gold nuggets are solid lumps of gold. The term "nugget" was first used for gold in 1852 during Australia's gold rush. Nuggets are rare, making up less than 2 percent of all native gold ever mined.

Gold has had an inestimable effect on human history. It has been crafted, mined, worshipped, plundered, fought over and traded for thousands of years. Today, the search for gold is as eager as ever, despite the vast stocks stored away in underground bunkers. So why has gold held this fascination for humanity?

People have become intoxicated, obsessed, haunted, humbled, and exalted over pieces of metal called gold. Gold has motivated entire societies, torn economies to shreds, determined the fate of kings and emperors, inspired the most beautiful works of art, provoked horrible acts by one people against another, and driven men to endure intense hardship in the hope of finding instant wealth and annihilating uncertainty.

The Cresson Mine is a story unto itself. During underground operations a cavity was opened that was as big as a room and whose walls were fully lined with crystals of gold, calaverite and sylvanite. The owners promptly put a steel door on the tunnel and proceeded to scrape a million and a half in gold off the walls. Some geode!