Auriferous Quartz Specimen (Gold-Bearing Rock)
Raw Gold Ore (Lode Gold in Quartz Matrix) · Natural Native Gold in Milky/Rusty Quartz
Purity: Natural 20K to 23K (Approx. 85-98% pure gold in host rock)
Type
Raw Gold Ore (Lode Gold in Quartz Matrix)
Purity
Natural 20K to 23K (Approx. 85-98% pure gold in host rock)
Gold Type
Natural Native Gold in Milky/Rusty Quartz
Weight
250g to 450g (Total specimen weight including matrix)
Description
This is a large, classic auriferous quartz specimen featuring a dense milky quartz matrix heavily stained with iron oxides. These 'rusty' veins are often the best indicators of native gold presence, as they represent oxidized sulfides where gold is frequently trapped. While no large visible 'nugget' is prominent on the surface, the texture suggests a high-potential lode ore sample typically found in hard-rock mining environments.
Key Features
Gossan-like iron staining, sugary crystalline quartz texture, and vuggy cavities indicating hydrothermal fluid activity.
Color & Finish
Vitreous white quartz with reddish-brown iron oxide (limonite/hematite) staining; raw jagged crystalline exterior
Hallmarks & Stamps
None (Natural geological formation)
Dimensions Estimate
Approx. 8cm x 6cm x 5cm (Hand-sized specimen)
Gemstones & Inlays
Natural crystalline quartz matrix with iron sulfide and potential microscopic gold inclusions
Clasp & Closure
N/A (Raw mineral specimen)
Chain & Links
N/A (Natural geologic structure)
Craftsmanship Details
None (Natural geological formation; no human manipulation visible beyond extraction).
Authentication Indicators
Quartz hardness (7 on Mohs), specific iron-staining patterns typical of gold-vein deposits; no surface-applied leafing detected.
Origin & Maker
Natural geological deposit (Likely Mother Lode, Basin and Range, or similar lode deposit)
Era & Period
Pre-Cambrian to Tertiary (Geological time scale)
Age Estimate
Relatively recent extraction (Post-1840s based on specimen preservation/lack of weathering)
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Hard Rock' mining tradition that sparked the 19th-century gold rushes in California, Australia, and the Klondike.
Condition Notes
Raw/As-found; uncrushed mineral specimen with jagged edges and natural surface contamination from soil/iron.
Value Estimate
Specimen value $50-$200 (Primarily as a mineral sample unless high-grade visible gold is confirmed via crushing or assay).
Care & Maintenance
Clean with distilled water; avoid harsh acids that may dissolve the matrix or loose gold; store in a padded display case.
Similar Items
Iron-stained bull quartz (often 'fool's gold' or barren), Gold-bearing Tellurides, and Placer Nuggets.
Interesting Facts
Most of the world's gold is extracted from quartz veins like this, where hydrothermal fluids deposited gold along with silica millions of years ago.