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@GRANDAM said:
What purity is raw gold like this? Does the purity vary greatly or is it all close to the same level?

Most naturally occurring gold nuggets typically have a purity ranging from 70% to 95%. This translates to approximately 16 to 23 karats. However, the average purity is around 90%, which corresponds to 22 karats.
The purity of a gold nugget can vary depending on its geographical origin. For instance, gold nuggets found in Australia often exhibit a higher purity, sometimes reaching 23K or even slightly higher, while Alaskan nuggets typically fall towards the lower end of the purity range. The richer and deeper the orange-yellow color of a nugget, the higher the gold content it generally possesses.
It's important to note that natural gold is rarely 100% pure due to the presence of other metals like silver and copper mixed within it during its formation. In some cases, a high silver content can lead to the formation of an alloy known as electrum.