Crystallized Gold
Allegheny, California
 
This interesting gold specimen is what's known as a crystalline sponge gold specimen which is a rare formation for gold from this locality. The darker spots on the gold are sulfides and possibly have silver oxides and other sulfides. This gold specimen was a result of a hydrothermal event that deposited the molten gold in quartz rich cracks and when cooled formed a crystallized spung like texture. The gold is bright and buttery yellow with small, crystallized gold plates overlapping each other. The gold sparkles in light and created a beautiful bright color and the black spots add to its aesthetics.
 
21.68 x 8.50 x 9.60 mm 
2.30 grams