Gold-Bearing Quartz Ore Specimen
Raw Gold (Native Gold in Matrix) · Native Yellow Gold (Naturally alloyed with silver)
Purity: Natural Native Gold (~20K-23K/830-970 fine)
Type
Raw Gold (Native Gold in Matrix)
Purity
Natural Native Gold (~20K-23K/830-970 fine)
Gold Type
Native Yellow Gold (Naturally alloyed with silver)
Weight
50g to 150g total specimen weight; gold content indeterminate without assaying
Description
This is a raw geological specimen consisting of native gold disseminated within a host matrix of milky quartz. The piece shows characteristic 'rust' or iron oxide staining, which often indicates the oxidation of sulfide minerals previously associated with the gold. The gold appears as fine grains and small stringers embedded directly into the silicate rock, suggesting an auriferous quartz vein origin.
Key Features
Visible native gold grains, milky quartz host rock, absence of standard crystalline shapes (differentiating it from pyrite).
Color & Finish
Brassy to rich butter-yellow native gold; matte to slightly crystalline natural luster
Hallmarks & Stamps
None (Natural geological specimen)
Dimensions Estimate
Approximately 5cm x 4cm x 2cm; hand-sized specimen
Gemstones & Inlays
Natural Quartz (crystalline white/grey matrix) and Iron Oxides (brown staining)
Clasp & Closure
N/A (Natural geological edge/rough fracture)
Chain & Links
N/A (Natural rock matrix)
Craftsmanship Details
None (Natural formation; unique geological texture produced by hydrothermal deposition).
Authentication Indicators
Sectility (gold is soft/malleable unlike brittle pyrite), lack of striations, high density of visible metal, and characteristic 'rich' color and luster.
Origin & Maker
Likely Western United States or Australian gold fields (Natural geological formation)
Era & Period
Contemporary Geological Discovery (Natural specimen formed millions of years ago)
Age Estimate
Geological age: Millions of years; Extraction: Likely within the last 50 years
Cultural Significance
Represents the primary source of the world's gold supply; highly valued by prospectors and geological collectors.
Condition Notes
Natural rough state (Grade: Specimen Quality). No evidence of crushing or chemical processing.
Value Estimate
Indeterminate; depends on the 'crushed' yield of pure gold. As a specimen, it may command a premium over the melt value of the gold contained.
Care & Maintenance
Keep dry; do not use harsh chemicals. Clean with soft brush and distilled water if necessary to remove loose dirt.
Similar Items
Gold-bearing Pyrite (Fool's gold), Chalcopyrite, or Arsenopyrite (all are harder and more brittle than genuine gold).
Interesting Facts
Gold and quartz are frequently found together because they both precipitate from hydrothermal fluids deep in the Earth's crust. Historically, such 'quartz reefs' fueled the Great Gold Rushes.