Victorian Goldfields Quartz Specimen – Large Brecciated Rock with White, Pink & Black Quartz Crystals: Specimen 8

Notable Features

This 3.674 kg quartz specimen measures 9 × 5 × 5.5 in (Width × Length × Height) and is one of the most dramatic pieces in the collection. It is packed with white, pink, and black-stained quartz crystals, ranging from small to large, including one massive crystal the size of a pinky finger. The quartz cuts through the bedrock and displays clear brecciated fragments, shattered by hydrothermal explosions and then cemented together by crystal growth. Several small cavities reveal contrasting dark brown to purple host rock, adding depth to the specimen. With moderate sulfidation, this piece features visible orangey sulfides — likely chalcopyrite — concentrated in one section.

Sulfidation Level

Moderate Sulfidation – The specimen contains visible sulfides, including chalcopyrite and pyrite, intergrown with quartz clusters and in oxidized patches. The orangey sulfides highlight the mineralizing system and provide a strong color accent against the white and pink quartz.

See how we rate sulfidation levels by visiting our FAQ section.

Mineral Assemblage

• Quartz – small, medium, and large crystals in white, pink, and black-stained varieties; one large quartz crystal the size of a pinky finger

• Chalcopyrite – visible orangey metallic inclusions in one section

• Pyrite – scattered brassy flecks

• Tetrahedrite – likely contributing to dark staining

• Iron oxides – giving pink coloration and enhancing brecciated zones

• Trace potential: arsenopyrite, stibnite, gold, silver, antimony

Note: Not every specimen contains the full mineral assemblage above. Minerals may appear in varying amounts, and each specimen may only feature a subset. Each piece is unique and chosen for its visual appeal and geological character.

Geological Story

This specimen formed during the Silurian Period (~440–420 million years ago), when tectonic upheavals fractured submarine fan sediments in the Victorian Goldfields. Into these fractures surged silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, depositing quartz and sulfides as they cooled.

The intensity of the process shattered the host rock, leaving it brecciated and later cemented together by quartz crystals of varying size. The result is a dramatic display of crystal growth through fractured host rock, complete with visible cavities, colorful staining, and sulfide enrichment. The white, pink, and black quartz captures multiple mineralization phases, while the orangey chalcopyrite adds a striking metallic contrast.

The Victorian Goldfields were historically mined for gold, silver, and antimony. Most of the precious metals here are refractory, bound within sulfides, though rare free gold specimens are known.

This specimen is not sold as “gold ore.” It is a collector’s showpiece, valued for its brecciated structure, crystal diversity, large crystal growth, and visible sulfide enrichment — a centerpiece from the Victorian Goldfields.