TUC114-048
Gold
Nullagine, Western Australia, Australia
Cabinet, 13.4 x 10.5 x 3.5 cm
SOLD
A rare Western Australia CRYSTALLIZED gold, massing 780 grams! This remarkable crystallized nugget shows none of the signs of alluvial tumbling which characterise your standard Aussie nugget. CRYSTALS shoot out, all over it, giving a very interesting horizon in the shape of an "eagle," as its nickname suggests. This does not have the luster of California material, but for Aussie it is insanely rare, big, and fine. The color is bright and indicative of a high purity! This piece is 5 inches across and is complete 360 degrees, all around and on both sides. It belonged to Hubert De Monmonier (1919-2007), and was donated by bequest to the University of Arizona Museum to add to their displays and to provide specimens for sale to establish an endowment fund for museum operations, in perpetuity. This was, to my mind, the best specimen they let go in the recent sale. It is rumored to be the largest crystallized gold from South America and, to my admittedly limited knowledge, this is indeed the case.Joe Budd Photos