Calaverite

Help improve this record

No owner is registered for this specimen yet. If it's yours or you know more about it, you can add the owner, provenance, publications and other details.

Substantial areas of yellowish silver, metallic Calaverite measuring to 1.5 cm occur throughout a white Quartz matrix from the Vindicator mine in the Cripple Creek district of Teller County, Colorado, USA. Calaverite is an uncommon gold telluride with the simple chemical formula of AuTe2 and derives its name from Calaveras County in California where it was first discovered in 1861 and subsequently named in 1868. Cripple Creek is famous as a former gold mining camp and is situated 32 km (20 miles) south west of Colorado Springs. This miniature is exceptionally rich in Calaverite, making it a stunning example of this gold bearing ore.