Auriferous Quartz Specimen (Lode Gold Ore)
Raw Gold Ore (Lode/Rock-hosted) · Natural Yellow (Electrum/Native alloy)
Purity: 20K to 23K (estimated native purity)
Type
Raw Gold Ore (Lode/Rock-hosted)
Purity
20K to 23K (estimated native purity)
Gold Type
Natural Yellow (Electrum/Native alloy)
Weight
150g to 300g (specimen total)
Description
A dense, high-grade auriferous quartz specimen featuring visible 'free-milling' gold. The host rock is a classic white-to-tan quartz with significant iron oxide staining, indicating it was likely harvested from an oxidized zone of a gold-bearing vein. The gold appears as disseminated grains and small wire-like inclusions within the crystalline structure of the silica.
Key Features
High-contrast visible gold, crumbly limonite crust, micro-crystalline quartz structure
Color & Finish
Deep buttery yellow metallic flakes within iron-stained white quartz
Hallmarks & Stamps
None (Natural Geological Specimen)
Dimensions Estimate
80mm x 60mm x 45mm (Hand-sized specimen)
Gemstones & Inlays
Quartz matrix with iron oxide (limonite) and potential pyrite inclusions
Clasp & Closure
Not Applicable (Rough Rock)
Chain & Links
Not Applicable (Crystalline Matrix)
Craftsmanship Details
Natural geological formation; no human craftsmanship present.
Authentication Indicators
Sectility of yellow flakes (malleability), specific gravity, lack of striations on metallic surfaces
Origin & Maker
Likely Northern California, Alaska, or Australian Goldfields
Era & Period
Modern Discovery (Geologically Cenozoic to Precambrian)
Age Estimate
Formation age: millions of years; Extraction: Recent (last 5 years)
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Gold Rush' archetype of mineral wealth and prospecting heritage.
Condition Notes
Natural/Rough - Surface shows heavy oxidation and iron staining
Value Estimate
$200 - $800 (Dependent on total contained gold via specific gravity test)
Care & Maintenance
Keep dry; clean only with distilled water and a soft brush; avoid acids that may dissolve the matrix.
Similar Items
Iron Pyrite (Fool's Gold), Mica-rich Schist, Chalcopyrite
Interesting Facts
Most of the world's gold was originally formed in these quartz vein systems via hydrothermal fluids.