Gold with Pyrite
Unknown Owner
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Rich bright native gold embedded quartz with pyrite. Neat locality example for the species. Collected in 1999.
The Gold Bluff prospect, located along the southern shore of Lake Superior north of Marquette in Marquette County, Michigan, is an early, small-scale precious metal exploration site within the Dead River Basin. Geologically, the prospect is hosted within Precambrian-aged metamorphic and igneous rocks, specifically targeting mineralized quartz veins cutting through Archean greenstone belting and associated granitic complexes. Hydrothermal fluids migrating through regional fault zones deposited localized concentrations of native gold, pyrite, and chalcopyrite within these silica-rich quartz structures. The history of the site dates back to the regional gold rush of the late nineteenth century, sparked by discoveries at the nearby Ropes gold mine. Exploration at Gold Bluff began around 1895 with the excavation of small surface pits and a short exploratory adit driven into the lakefront bluffs to test the economic viability of the quartz veins. The prospect failed to encounter sustained, high-grade gold mineralization, and all formal exploration work was abandoned by 1897 without achieving commercial production.
Product details
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions7.5 x 5.0 x 2.5 cm
Added on07/16/2026
LocalityUSA, Michigan, Gold Bluff prospect
Known provenance
| Date | Collector | Acquisition price |
|---|---|---|
| 07/2026 | Unknown Owner | $415.00 |
| — | Weinrich Minerals | 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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