GOLD
Specimen gol-15

Dims: 0.7" x 0.6" x 0.3" (1.8 x 1.5 x 0.8 cm)

Wt: 2.2 g

Red Ink Maid Mine, Forest Hill, Placer County, California, U.S.A.

Though small, this thumbnail specimen contains Gold that has definite crystalline tendencies and some visible crystal form. These crystals are tiny (2 mm in diameter or less), and though they are very warped, they do show some vestiges of Gold's cubic nature. The Gold has the standard golden-yellow coloration and bright luster, but there are a few places on their formation that show a dark, almost rusty color and a dull luster. I would guess that this is due to the presence of either some very slightly oxidized copper or some very heavily oxidized iron whose rusty leavings somehow got stuck to the Gold. According to the supplier, this mine was once owned by John De Maria, and is still owned by his family.

Dims: 0.9" x 0.6" x 0.4" (2.3 x 1.5 x 1.0 cm)

Wt: 5.9 g

Red Ink Maid Mine, Forest Hill, Placer County, California, U.S.A.

I like this Gold specimen best out of our latest acquisitions because it shows the most crystalline material. There are both crystals and foil in this specimen, as part of the formation filled a narrow crevice in the quartz host rock. As I examined this specimen with a 10-power jeweler's loupe, I saw a nearly complete octahedral Gold crystal; though it is very small (1 mm diameter) not quite complete, it has the best octahedral form that I have ever seen in Gold! There are many other crystals present, but these are either extremely small or their form is quite warped. All of the Gold has the standard golden-yellow coloration and bright, metallic luster. A small portion of the white quartz matrix shows noticeable crystal form (the Gold octahedron is in that area), but most of it is massive and translucent, with noticeable rust-staining.

Dims: 0.8" x 0.7" x 0.6" (2.0 x 1.8 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 5.5 g

Great Northern train tunnel, Baker, Oregon, U.S.A.

Though there is no discernable crystalline tendencies to the Gold on this specimen, it is odd and very interesting in its own way. The Gold is in the form of a thin foil that partly covers one face of the white, massive host rock and extends in an adjacent vein that runs almost completely through it. It has the standard golden-yellow coloration and untarnished metallic luster that are the hallmarks of Gold. The unusual aspect of this specimen is that it is the only one I have ever seen or heard of whose host rock is composed of calcite instead of quartz!

Dims: 0.6" x 0.4" x 0.1" (1.5 x 1.0 x 0.3 cm)

Wt: 5.1 g w/ wooden base

Red Ink Maid Mine, Forest Hill, Placer County, California, U.S.A.

This small specimen consists of a formation of semicrystalline native Gold. Close examination shows that the Gold has the uncommon arboreal, branching form. A loupe or magnifier is needed for proper study of the fine detail of these branches. Under such magnification, one can easily see definite crystalline faces and edges, though the crystals have rather poor form. The Gold has the standard golden-yellow color and bright metallic luster, and is almost devoid of quartz host rock- there may be a few very tiny patches stuck to the Gold. The formation is affixed to a wooden base with a hot glue; this base, in turn, has been cut to fit snugly inside a square plastic specimen box.

Dims: 0.5 x 0.3 x 0.1" (1.3 x 0.8 x 0.3 cm)

Wt: 0.6 g

Placer County, California, U.S.A.

A beautiful formation of dendritic native Gold is the first thing that one notices when examining this small thumbnail specimen. The Gold has the classic golden color and metallic luster, and is in excellent condition, showing no visible damage. The tiny fingers of gold that extend off of the main branch are somewhat intergrown in most places, but are still quite detailed. Closer examination of the specimen will reveal that this dendritic formation is attached to a warped but definable octahedral crystal of gold that has several well-defined edges and a few flat faces, one of which is noticeably indented with a hopper effect. There is no host rock present, and I have used an adhesive putty to attach it to the inside of a domed plastic specimen box for display and protection.

Dims: 0.9 x 0.4 x 0.2" (2.3 x 1.0 x 0.5 cm)

Wt: 2.12 g

Placer County, California, U.S.A.

This small thumbnail specimen is made up entirely of warped and intergrown crystals of native Gold. Some of these crystals are so warped that only a few flat, misshapen faces are evidence of their habit. A few of them, however, are discernable as warped octahedral crystals, with definable faces and edges. There are several crystals that show a definite skeletal or "hopper" form, wherein their edges grew more quickly than their faces. There is no host rock present on the specimen, and I have affixed it inside a domed plastic specimen box for display.

Dims: 0.9 x 0.8 x 0.6" (2.3 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 13.4 g w/ base

Dome Mine, Timmins, Ontario, Canada

Several small veins of native Gold rest upon the quartz host of this thumbnail specimen. All of the gold appears to be on or just beneath the surface, and is easily visible. It shows no definable crystal form, and has the classic golden color and bright metallic luster of the metal. It is accompanied by veins of galena and altaite, a lead telluride. The quartz base on which they rest is massive and shows no crystalline tendencies or form.

Dims: 0.9 x 0.4 x 0.3" (2.3 x 1.1 x 0.8 cm)

Wt: 10 g w/ base

Eugene Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada, U.S.A.

A disseminated, branching vein of semicrystalline and crystalline Native Gold permeates the sparse quartz matrix of this small specimen. The Gold is in excellent condition, showing no damage to its surfaces, and has a warped and sometimes twisted form that shows evidence of definite crystal shape in some areas. It has the classic golden-yellow color and bright metallic luster. The piece is hot-glued onto a flat, acrylic base that fits into a plastic specimen box.

Dims: 0.5 x 0.4 x 0.1" (1.2 x 1.0 x 0.3 cm)

Wt: 7 g w/ base

Eugene Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada, U.S.A.

A delicate formation of leaf-like Native Gold crystals makes up this small thumbnail piece. These crystals do not exceed 0.1" (4 mm) in length but are in excellent condition. Though most are flattened and somewhat warped, one can still see some crystalline outline to some of them. They have the classic gold coloration and bright metallic luster of their species. There is no host rock present, and the piece is affixed on a small post inside a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 0.7 x 0.3 x 0.3" (1.7 x 0.8 x 0.7 cm)

Wt: 8 g w/ base

Eugene Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada, U.S.A.

This specimen basically consists of a formation of crystalline and semicrystalline native Gold. The Gold is in excellent condition, showing no damage, and shows a warped but definite octahedral form on most of its protrusions. Its golden-yellow color and bright metallic luster are standard for the metal, of course, and only a small amount of white quartz is present. The piece is hot-glued onto a flat acrylic base that fits into a thumbnail box.

Dims: 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.2" (1.1 x 1.0 x 0.4 cm)

Wt: 8 g w/ base

Eugene Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada, U.S.A.

This small thumbnail piece consists of a cluster of flattened Gold crystals. The crystals are in good condition, showing no obvious damage, and have a visible, if flattened, isometric form- one crystal even shows a small amount of hoppering! The Gold has the standard golden-yellow color and bright metallic luster and is loose- no host rock is present. The piece is hot-glued to a square acrylic base which in turn fits into a plastic specimen box.

Dims: 0.6 x 0.2 x 0.2" (1.4 x 0.6 x 0.4 cm)

Wt: 8 g w/ base

Eugene Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada, U.S.A.

This small Gold thumbnail is in excellent condition and shows a large number of tiny, warped crystals and some branching habit. It has the classic golden-yellow color and bright metallic luster of Gold, and no host material is present. The piece is affixed to a post which is in turn affixed to a square acrylic base- this base fits into the included thumbnail box.

Dims: 0.6 x 0.3 x 0.2" (1.5 x 0.7 x 0.4 cm)

Wt: 8 g w/ base

Eugene Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada, U.S.A.

A small formation of native Gold sheets comprises this thumbnail specimen. The Gold shows faint evidence of tiny crystalline faces under 10-power magnification, but is otherwise uneven. It has the classic golden-yellow color and metallic luster of its specie, and is loose- there is no host material present. The piece is affixed to a post which is in turn affixed to an acrylic base. The base fits inside the bottom of the included thumbnail box.

Dims: 0.5 x 0.4 x 0.2" (1.2 x 1.0 x 0.4 cm)

Wt: 7 g w/ base

Eugene Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada, U.S.A.

A semicrystalline formation of native Gold makes up this thumbnail specimen. It is in excellent condition, showing no damage, and shows a small amount of crystal form, though this is generally rounded and warped. The Gold has the classic golden-yellow color and bright metallic luster, and is not attached to any base or host material. The piece is affixed to a square acrylic base that fits into the included thumbnail box.

Dims: 0.6 x 0.6 x 0.4" (1.4 x 1.4 x 1.1 cm)

Wt: 9 g w/ base

Harvard Open Pit Mine, Jamestown, Tuolumne County, California, U.S.A.

A small formation of crystalline Gold extends from the quartz base of this thumbnail piece. The Gold is in excellent condition, showing no damage. Though no complete and well-formed crystals are present, there are some definitely crystalline faces and edges- these do not exceed 1 or 2 mm in length or diameter. It has the classic golden-yellow color and bright metallic luster of its specie. A layer of black material makes up part of the base- this layer contains many very tiny pyrite crystals. The piece is hot-glued to a post that is in turn glued to an acrylic base- this base, in turn, fits into the bottom of the included plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 0.5 x 0.3 x 0.2" (1.4 x 0.8 x 0.6 cm)

Wt: 7 g w/ base

Harvard Open Pit Mine, Jamestown, Tuolumne County, California, U.S.A.

This small thumbnail spepcimen consists of a vein of native Gold that extends through a white, massive quartz matrix. The Gold shows some evidence of crystal form, though no crystals are discernable, and has the classic golden-yellow color and bright metallic luster. The piece is affixed to a square plastic base that fits inside a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.1" (8 x 7 x 3 mm)

Wt: 7 g w/ base

Harvard Open Pit Mine, Jamestown, Tuolumne County, California, U.S.A.

This tiny thumbnail piece consists of a small chunk of white quartz through which extend a few small veins of native Gold. The Gold is in good condition and shows no visible crystal form. It has the standard golden-yellow coloration and bright metallic luster. The piece is hot-glued to a small wooden post which is in turn affixed to a square acrylic base. This base fits inside the bottom of a standard thumbnail box, which is included.

Dims:0.3x0.3x0.2" (0.8x0.8x0.5 cm)

Wt: 3.05 ct. (0.6g)

Eugene Mountains, Humbolt County, Nevada, USA

This thumbnail specimen consists of a semicrystalline formation of native Gold. It is in excellent condition, with no damage, and shows a small amount of crystal form, though this is sometimes rounded. The Gold has the classic golden-yellow color and bright metallic luster, and is not attached to any base or host material. The piece is affixed to a square styrofoam base that fits into the included thumbnail box.

Dims:0.4x0.2x0.1" (1.1x0.6x0.4 cm)

Wt: 2.85 ct. (0.57g)

Eugene Mountains, Humbolt County, Nevada, USA

This semicrystalline native gold nugget shows two types of appearances. Parts of the crystal are very faintly reddish (perhaps indicating some copper in the gold), while other areas (especially protected ones) are very pure "gold" in color. It is in very good condition, and shows a small amount of crystal form, though this is generally rounded. The piece is affixed to a square lucite base that fits into the included thumbnail box.

Dims: 2.8x1.5x1.6" (7.1x3.8x4.0 cm)

Wt: 4.82 oz. (136.5g)

Red Lake Mine, Balmertown, Ontario, Canada

This hand specimen of gold ore is has very obvious gold leaf on one side, accompanied by fool's gold (pyrite). Or at least, that's what I thought before examining it with a loupe. Then, parts of the "pyrite" looks like beaten down leaves of some silvery metal, and the metallic sulfide on the sides of the specimen looks more like pyrite, and is more silver then the golden "fool's gold" color of the mineral on the top. To add to this specimen's mystery, there is another (metallic sulfide?) present which has clearly curved, striated crystal faces, and I found several translucent to transparent crystals, one green, and several yellow ones. I don't know what these might be.

Dims: 0.94x0.91x0.87" (2.4x2.3x2.2cm)

Wt: 0.48oz. (13.7g)

Olinghouse Mine, Washoe County, Nevada, USA

A crevice in a gray-green host rock is filled with wire-like jumbled crystals of gold. It looks like a gold variety of steel wool, except under a loupe the individual crystals often appear to have crystal faces and a dense branching form, instead of simple wires as in the case with steel wool. There are also tiny quartz crystals present, on several sides of the specimen. The crevice that contains the gold passes completely through the specimen, and I am certain that only a fraction of the gold is visible.

Dims: 0.54x0.48x0.14" (1.36x1.23x0.35cm)

Wt: 2.0ct (0.4g)

Allegheny District, Sierra County, California, USA

This is a fine specimen of native gold. It is largely flat (so that it appears large for its weight), with a somewhat branching form. Most of the top surface consists of tiny rounded nodules, giving it an interesting appearance (especially with a loupe). The color is pure gold, and the specimen has a bright metallic luster. It has been hot-melt glued into a display box.

Dims: 0.93x0.79x0.53" (2.35x2.01x1.36cm)

Wt: 0.30oz (8.5g)

Harvard Open Pit Mine, Jamestown, California, USA

This is a piece of white quartz with numerous leaves of gold attached and penetrating some distance into the quartz. I count at least a dozen separate blades of gold, all of which have a perfect gold color and bright metallic luster. Some of the gold is relatively flat and smooth leaves, while others have a complex structure of branches and nuggets. All are small, yet quite a bit of gold is visible on the specimen. The quartz also has many cracks which contain a brown film, some of which is on the surface, some is dendritic, and some of it is quite lustrous. I suspect that all of this "brown film" is actually additional gold, but in sheets far too thin to have a gold color.

Dims: 0.59x0.43x0.41" (1.49x1.09x1.03cm)

Wt: 5ct (1.0g)

Harvard Open Pit Mine, Jamestown, California, USA

This small thumbnail specimen is a quartz fragment with a half-dozen gold flakes showing. The largest two of these present well, as leafs of gold that are partially esposed above the quartz. The specimen is glued to a small base.

Dims: 0.69x0.27x0.23" (1.75x0.68x0.58cm)

Wt: 1.5ct (0.3g)

Mockingbird Mine, Mariposa County, California, USA

This specimen is pure gold, and has a branching shape of thin leaves that makes it look larger than it weighs. It has excellent gold color and luster, and a rather elongated shape. It is firmly glued to a plastic stand.

Dims: 0.94x0.78x0.50" (2.38x1.97x1.27cm)

Wt: 0.19oz (5.5g)

Harvard Open Pit Mine, Jamestown, California, USA

This is a piece of gold ore - quartz with dozens of bits of gold leaf exposed on the surface. Several of the leaves are well (or entirely) exposed. The gold has, of course, a gold color and metallic luster. The quartz is just clear enough that some gold leaf can be seen penetrating a millimeter into the quartz.

Dims: 1.11x0.77x0.34" (2.82x1.95x0.85cm)

Wt: 0.17oz (4.7g)

Harvard Open Pit Mine, Jamestown, California, USA

This is gold ore, a piece of white quartz with a vein of gold. Most of the quartz was removed to expose the gold, present in four different small patches of "gold leaf". The gold has an excellent gold color and luster, with some areas showing crystal imprints from the (now missing) host rock. The quartz is opaque, so one cannot see how much more gold may be hidden within.

Dims: 0.45x0.35x0.07" (1.15x0.88x0.17cm)

Wt: 2.0ct (0.4g)

Harvard Open Pit Mine, Jamestown, California, USA

This is a specimen of gold leaf. It is thin and displays a lot of area for its weight - it displays well. The color is gold, and it has an excellent luster, A loupe clearly reveals that the surface has been imprinted with the crystal faces of its original host rock.