Gold on Quartz
Badger Mine (Prescott Mine; Prescott Lode claim), Quartzburg, Hornitos Mining District, West Belt, Mariposa County, California
This exceptional gold specimen features bold, sharp gold crystals rising beautifully from a quartz cavity. Thick, gleaming gold plates form the main structure, while smaller, leaf-like crystals add fine detail against the bright white quartz. In some areas, later crystal growth created small open pockets filled with delicate, sponge-textured native gold, giving the piece added depth and character. The gold is dense and richly colored, with a strong, even saturation that contrasts strikingly with the quartz. Toward the base, the quartz gradually blends into iron oxide rich material, where natural flashes of gold can be seen within the darker matrix.
15 x 14 x 11 mm
1.61 grams