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NATIVE Gold with Quartz
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Unknown Owner
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Representing the world's first great crystallized Native Gold, specimens from Roşia Montană (Verespatak) in Alba County, Romania can be seen in all of the great early aristocratic collections of Europe and within the earliest state museums. Often originally labelled as from Hungary, or Transylvania, collectors sent out requests to source the very best display specimens showing bright yellow 'leaves' of Native Gold rising upwards from their vein Quartz host. Even 250 years ago specimens were being bought for extravagant sums such is their beauty and richness. Obviously, in the intervening years many new occurrences of crystallized Native Gold have been made around the world, but the Romanian gold's will always be the classic and with their characteristic leaf form and distinctive matrix they are unique. This small cabinet-sized display specimen is incredibly rich, with countless leaf-like crystals of bright Native Gold rising up across the finely crystallized surface of a white Quartz vein with some pieces of Quartz dangling on the ends of the sheets of gold. This vein cuts across one side of a quite blocky pale buff-grey siliceous (probably rhyolitic) matrix as is typical of the Roşia Montană occurrence. First worked by the Romans, this gold mining area is probably one of the most ancient of all that can still be traced. Ex Hans Engelbrecht Collection, no. 673. A stunning historic Native Gold from this most famous of localities.
Product details
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions6.4 x 6.0 x 4.8 cm
Added on03/28/2026
LocalityRomania, Alba County, Roşia Montană, Rosia Montana
Known provenance
| Date | Collector | Acquisition price |
|---|---|---|
| 07/2026 | Unknown Owner | $12,500.00 |
| — | Crystal Classics | Not disclosed |
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Mineral guide
Learn about Gold
iconic native metal with sculptural crystals, herringbone leaves, and rich yellow hues; prized by collectors for locality lore, rarity, and striking form.Regional guide
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