Mariposite is most important for being an ore of gold and a source of placer gold. It has been cut as a dimension stone to produce cemetery markers, fireplaces, facing stone and other architectural works. It is a material that can be used where strength and weather resistance are not required. Much mariposite will weather to a muddy brown color that can disappoint people who use it for an exterior project.

Mariposite is sometimes used to produce crushed stone. This beautiful material is used as landscape stone in some parts of California by people who are lucky enough to obtain it. Some people who know about mariposite’s association with the California Mother Lode will be tempted to pick up a few pieces to look for the yellow metal. More often they will find pyrite.

Mariposite has many lapidary uses. It is used to make attractive cabochons, spheres, paperweights, bookends, and tumbled stones. Anyone who uses mariposite in lapidary projects must be mindful that the rock is composed of several minerals which may have incompetent boundaries, different hardnesses, and polish to different degrees of luster. The best specimens for lapidary use are solid pieces made up mostly of quartz, without any signs of weathering.