Sponge Gold Cluster 
Manhattan Mine, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
This extraordinary gold specimen exhibits a complex, overlapping, sponge-like texture of native gold with microcrystals growing on the surface. These microcrystals contribute to the specimen's sparkle and significantly enhance its luster. Such a specimen is extremely rare, particularly because the Manhattan Mine is no longer in operation. The gold crystal clusters are visible from all sides, showcasing a slight dendritic crystallization pattern with a small amount of quartz matrix. The specimen is dense and features a buttery yellow color, in contrast to the pale yellow typically found in crystals from this locality. This gold specimen is an exemplary representation of the mineralogy from this area.
8 x 6 x 4 mm
0.42 gram
#142A