Victorian Goldfields Quartz Specimen – Large White & Pink Crystals in Brown Host Rock: Specimen 2

Notable Features

This 966 g quartz specimen measures 6.5 × 2.5 × 3.5 in (Width × Length × Height). It features large quartz crystals, predominantly white with subtle pink highlights, set within a light to medium brown host rock. The specimen provides a clear view of how the host rock was shattered by hydrothermal explosions and cemented together with quartz, making it not only visually striking but also geologically instructive.

Sulfidation Level

Low Sulfidation – Only minimal sulfide mineralization is visible in this specimen, with few metallic flecks scattered among the quartz crystals. The appeal lies in its large quartz crystals and the dramatic host rock textures.

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

Mineral Assemblage

• Quartz – large crystals, predominantly white with some pink tones

• Iron oxides – subtle staining giving the quartz its pink hue

• 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 in what is now the Victorian Goldfields. Silica-rich hydrothermal fluids surged into these fractures, cooling slowly and allowing quartz to crystallize.

In this case, the fluids were so forceful that they blasted apart the host rock, leaving it shattered and recemented by quartz. This brecciated structure is preserved in the specimen, showing large white and pink quartz crystals binding the altered brown sedimentary rock together.

The mineralizing system responsible for this specimen also historically produced gold, silver, and antimony. While most of the precious metals here are refractory and bound within sulfides, rare specimens with visible free gold do occur.

This specimen is not sold as “gold ore.” It is a collector’s specimen, valued for its crystalline quartz, brecciated host textures, and its geological story — a piece of the Victorian Goldfields preserved in stone.