Detailed information
Species
Native Gold, Quartz
Dimensions
42 x 62 x 28
mm
Weight
47 g
Locality
Sheba Mine Barberton, Ehlanzeni District Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Condition
Net
The Barberton gold district in Eastern Transvaal, South Africa was founded in 1884 following the discovery of gold in 1881. Prior to that, the area was largely unexplored due to the risk of malaria in the warm climate. The Sheba Reef was discovered in 1885 and the mine of the same name opened, becoming one of the largest producers of gold within the goldfield. This mine remains active today. The Native Gold at Sheba mine is bonanza-style, forming extremely rich concentrations. This beautiful large miniature specimen from the famous Siber and Siber gold collection displays spectacular crystalline growths of Native Gold rising up from chert matrix (labelled as Dolomite, but that is unlikely) from which it has been etched free. The largest mass of Native Gold measures 2.5 x 2 cm in extent and another 2 x 1.5 cm. Fine, display quality South African Native Gold specimens are rarely seen available making this a very special piece. It displays extremely well.
