Victorian Goldfields Quartz Specimen – White & Orange Crystals with Large Side Crystal: Specimen 12

Notable Features

This 345 g quartz specimen measures 4 × 2.5 × 2.5 in (Width × Length × Height). It features moderate to large quartz crystals in white and orange, with one very large crystal jutting out from the side. The overall formation highlights sharp, well-developed quartz growth, making this one of the best crystal-focused specimens in the collection.

Sulfidation Level

Low Sulfidation – Only minimal sulfide mineralization is visible, leaving the quartz crystals as the dominant feature of this piece. Its beauty lies in the large, well-formed crystals and striking color contrast.

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

Mineral Assemblage

• Quartz – moderate to large crystals in white and orange, including one very large side crystal

• Iron oxides – staining responsible for orange hues in quartz

• 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 forces fractured submarine fan sediments across the Victorian Goldfields. Silica-rich hydrothermal fluids surged upward through these fractures, cooling slowly enough to form large, well-defined quartz crystals rather than the massive milky quartz typical of most reefs.

Here, the quartz developed in white and orange hues, with iron oxide staining providing vibrant contrast. The standout feature is a very large crystal projecting from the side, a dramatic example of open-space growth within the vein. This specimen is a geological snapshot of the processes that also historically produced gold, silver, and antimony in the region.

Most of the gold and silver here is refractory, bound within sulfides, though rare specimens with visible free gold have been reported.

This specimen is not sold as “gold ore.” It is a collector’s piece, valued for its exceptional quartz crystal growth, striking coloration, and standout side crystal — one of the best crystal specimens in the collection.