Dendritic Gold Crystals on Quartz
Baia de Aries, Transylvania, Romania
 
This incredible gold specimen displays a fascinating combination of naturally dendritic and herringbone crystal habits. The herringbone gold is especially striking, with crystals arranged in a pattern that resembles the structure of a fish skeleton. These interconnected crystals form a series of stepped, blade like formations that give the specimen remarkable depth and three dimensional character. Between the thicker, leafy blades of gold are delicate dendritic, fern like crystals that branch outward in intricate patterns. The combination of these contrasting crystal habits creates an exceptionally complex and visually captivating specimen, showcasing the remarkable ways in which native gold can naturally crystallize. The gold displays a bright, saturated color with highly lustrous surfaces that cover much of the specimen, producing a brilliant shine under light. Adding further contrast are several translucent quartz crystal points along the edge of the matrix.
 
32 x 17 x 14 mm
4.75 grams