The Mockingbird Gold Mine, Mariposa County, California

摘要

For the avid mineral enthusiast, gold, especially crystallized gold, is one of the most coveted of all collectible species. Of the thousands of known gold occurrences, few have produced aesthetic macroscopic crystals. California's Mother Lode belt and its peripheral districts have produced many of the finest gold specimens known, including incredible examples of crystallized gold from the Colorado Quartz, Red Ledge, Sixteen-to-One, Eagle's Nest, Diltz, Artru, and Mockingbird mines. These specimens commonly have bright luster and rich color, with well-developed crystals in unusual and attractive clusters. Because California specimen gold typically occurs within milky quartz veins, fine matrix specimens often show beautiful contrast between the gold and white quartz.