Gold Wire Cluster on Native Lead
Farncomb Hill, French Gulch, Breckenridge Mining District, Summit County, Colorado
 
This exceptional wire gold specimen features a dense mesh of interwoven crystals, forming a compact and highly intricate three dimensional complex network. The gold displays a saturated, buttery yellow color with a bright luster that comes alive under direct light. Fine secondary crystalline growth covers portions of the wires, adding subtle texture and sparkle when viewed in sunlight. The gold wires have grown directly from within a solid mass of native lead, an unusual mineral association produced by only a few localities worldwide. The reverse side is equally impressive, with thick, robust wires projecting slightly from the lead matrix. Brown iron oxides from the decomposition of iron-rich material can be seen within fractures in the lead. This is a classic example of exceptional wire gold from a highly sought after locality.
 
23 x 18 x 10 mm
4 grams