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How dense is gold compared with other common metals?

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A diagram showing the periodic table entry for gold, with the symbol Au, atomic number 79, atomic weight 196.96657, electron configuration, and labels for its properties as a solid transition metal with a face-centered cubic crystal structure. — gold The precious metal gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au. Its square on the periodic table details some of its properties, including its atomic weight, atomic number, and crystal structure.

Gold is considered one of the densest of all metals, with a density of 19.3 grams per cubic centimetre. This high density, also expressed as a specific gravity of 19.3 at 20 °C (68 °F), is a defining physical property that distinguishes it from many other common metals.123

Because of this significant density, gold is highly amenable to recovery through placer mining and various gravity concentration techniques, which allow it to be separated from lighter materials. While noble metals as a group are characterized by high densities and melting points, gold stands out as being among the densest in this category.24