Photo Credit: nuggetsbygrant
Crystalline Gold Nugget in Quartz from California
Buy It Now Price: $450.44 (price as of 2018; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This stunning crystalline gold nugget in quartz comes from Sierra County, high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of northern California.
-This gold in matrix specimen weighs 4.28 grams, which is actually fairly sizable for this type of gold mineralization. It is about the size of a quarter cut in half.
-Gold was first discovered in California in 1848, which spawned the famous California Gold Rush. Although easy to access placer gold deposits were exploited at first, by the late 19th century California miners had to venture deep underground in pursuit of the elusive precious metal.
-Matrix is a mining term that refers to the native rock surrounding a valuable ore. Gold in quartz matrix is not only exceptionally beautiful, but also in extremely high demand by mineral collectors.
-This particular crystalline gold nugget was found in the historical Alleghany gold district of California, very close to the renowned Original Sixteen to One gold mine. These goldfields are famous for their widely scattered gold-bearing quartz veins, which can vary in thickness from just a few inches to more than 20 feet wide.
-This crystalline gold nugget retains its delicate, intricately branching shape. This is in stark contrast to gold nuggets recovered from alluvial (river) deposits, which have been compacted and worn smooth via centuries of hydraulic action. Crystalline gold is the rarest form of natural gold – rarer even than placer gold nuggets (which are incredibly rare themselves).
-The Original Sixteen to One Mine is probably the most famous gold mine in the United States. Discovered in 1896, this extremely rich mine has been in almost continuous production since that time. The Original Sixteen to One Mine was named after the traditional 19th century exchange ratio between silver and gold. You can view an interesting video tour of the mine here.
-Gold nuggets from California are rarer and harder to find than gold nuggets from Alaska, Australia or British Columbia. Because of this rarity and the romance surrounding the California goldfields, gold nuggets from California have an added dimension of desirability.
–Gold nuggets are often overlooked as investments, but shouldn’t be. Their historical importance combined with their high intrinsic value and unique aesthetics make them an intriguing alternative asset for those looking to escape the uncertainty of paper assets.
-At only $450, I think this crystalline gold nugget from California would make a wonderful addition to your gold nugget collection or tangible asset portfolio.
Cons:
-Because they so much rarer, crystalline gold nuggets in matrix are much more expensive per unit of weight than alluvial gold nuggets without matrix. But they make up for it with dazzling good looks and perennially high collector demand.
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