Gold was the primary mineral found during the California Gold Rush in the Sierra Nevada region.

The California Gold Rush, which began in 1848, was triggered by the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill near Coloma in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The discovery led to a massive influx of prospectors, known as "49ers," who traveled to California in search of wealth. Gold was primarily found in streams and riverbeds, where it was panned from the sediment. The rush transformed California's economy and population, shaping the region's history. While other minerals, like silver and quartz, were also found, gold was the primary mineral sought during this period.