Victorian Goldfields Quartz Specimen – White Quartz Veining with Small Brown Crystal Cluster: Specimen 13

Notable Features

This quartz specimen weighs 421 g and measures approximately 10.5 × 9 × 9.5 cm (Width × Length × Height). It features pronounced quartz veining cutting through bedrock, with a small cluster of white quartz crystals developed along the vein. A distinctive brown crystal cluster adds earthy contrast to the lighter quartz, giving this piece an extra point of visual interest. With a low sulfide level, this specimen is valued more for its vein structure and crystal growth than metallic mineralization.

Sulfide Level

Low Sulfide Level – Only minimal sulfide mineralization is present, with occasional tiny flecks scattered along the quartz vein. The highlight of this specimen is its clear vein structure and quartz development within bedrock.

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

Mineral Assemblage

• Quartz – white veining through bedrock, forming a small cluster of crystals

• Brown crystal cluster – likely iron oxide–stained quartz giving earthy coloration

• Trace potential: pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, stibnite, tetrahedrite, 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 activity fractured submarine fan sediments in the Victorian Goldfields. Silica-rich hydrothermal fluids moved through these fractures, leaving behind quartz veins as they cooled.

In Specimen 13, the result is a pronounced quartz vein running through the host rock, with a small cluster of white crystals marking its development. With very little sulfide mineralization, the focus here is on the vein structure itself — a classic example of how quartz infiltrated and cemented fractures in ancient sedimentary rock.

The Victorian Goldfields were historically mined for gold, silver, and antimony. While most of the precious metals here are refractory, locked within sulfides, rare specimens of free gold have been reported.

This specimen is not sold as “gold ore.” It is a collector’s specimen, valued for its quartz veining, bedrock exposure, and white crystal cluster, offering a clear view of the processes that shaped the geology of Victoria over 400 million years ago.