Victorian Goldfields Quartz & Pyrite Specimen – Jagged Teeth Quartz Crystals: Specimen 5

Notable Features

This 235 g quartz and pyrite specimen measures 3 × 2.5 × 2.5 in (Width × Length × Height). It features a cluster of jagged, tooth-like quartz crystals in shades of white, orange, and black, creating a bold and dramatic texture. Among the cluster, one rare pure red crystal stands out against the surrounding white quartz, adding striking contrast. With a very high sulfidation level, this specimen is rich in metallic mineralization, making it visually dynamic and mineralogically significant.

Sulfidation Level

Very High Sulfidation – Abundant sulfides, dominated by pyrite, coat the quartz and cluster between the crystals. Chalcopyrite and darker tetrahedrite inclusions are also visible, giving the specimen metallic sparkle and depth.

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

Mineral Assemblage

• Quartz – jagged tooth-like crystals in white, orange, and black, with one rare red crystal

• Pyrite – abundant metallic flecks and clusters

• Chalcopyrite – golden-brassy inclusions across quartz faces

• Tetrahedrite – dark inclusions enhancing the black coloration

• Iron oxides – responsible for orange and red staining

• 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 ancient submarine fan sediments across the Victorian Goldfields. Into these fractures surged silica-rich hydrothermal fluids, cooling slowly and leaving behind crystalline quartz rather than the usual massive milky quartz.

In this case, the result is a striking cluster of tooth-like quartz crystals in white, orange, and black, with one rare red crystal marking a unique phase of mineral growth. Heavy sulfide enrichment — particularly pyrite and chalcopyrite — concentrated along the crystal boundaries, while iron oxides stained parts of the quartz in shades of orange and red.

Historically, this mineralizing system was mined for gold, silver, and antimony, with most of the precious metals refractory, locked within sulfides. Rare free gold specimens are known from the district.

This specimen is not sold as “gold ore.” It is a collector’s specimen, valued for its jagged tooth-like crystals, rare red quartz, and very high sulfide content — a visually dramatic piece of the Victorian Goldfields.