Detailed information
This toe-nail sized 'nest' of bright silvery-white metallic wires of Native Silver comes from the famous early 1989 to 1990 find at Dzhezkazgan in Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan. Very few specimens reached the outside world for mineral collectors to obtain, making these one of the most valuable commodities in the world of Native Silver collecting. The richness of the Native Silver is clear to see on this piece, but underneath there are glimpses of the host matrix which appears to contain white Quartz, or perhaps Calcite. Indeed, the longest wire, which rises up above the top of the specimen is not only tarnished, with a fine patina, but is also studded with tiny colourless crystals, probably of Calcite, proving its natural origin. This specimen is mounted on a small flat acryllic base for handling but can easily be removed using acetone.
