This is, to me, a shockingly unique specimen featuring the largest, well-crystallized 3-dimensional spinel twin gold on matrix that I have ever seen for sale. This is NOT a flattened crystalline gold as with Eagles Nest material and it is not a typical octohedral crystal or cluster of such as some Mockingbird material occurs. Rather, this is a SINGLE thick, euhedral CRYSTAL, fully 3.5 cm tip to tip, just so nicely perched on a well-trimmed matrix (prepped out by a very clever and risk-taking preparator to whom kudos is due!) .This crystal has a natural patina as the enclosing quartz was removed with physical means instead of the less elegant but easier method of hydrofluoric acid. It is complete all around and is EQUALLY fine from the other side - it displays either way. If I have not yet conveyed how impressed I am, let me try more bluntly: I LOVE THIS ROCK! I loved it the moment I saw it in late 2005. I sold it shortly thereafter to a collector whom has now started to cull and slim down his collection, and I leapt at the chance to exchange it back. At the time I first had it, I could not reveal the source from whom I had obtained it; but now I can say it is from the personal collection of the late Bill Forrest: a longtime California collector, gold-miner, and co-owner of the Benitoite mine during much of its modern heyday. To me, this specimen screams out from a case in a manner far more impactful and unique than any number of larger golds I have seen for sale. The size of the crystal, and its sharp twinning, make it important. The brilliant luster and aesthetic perch on matrix make it collectible to the connosseur. Photo on green background, by Joe Budd.