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Orocal The Natural Gold Company
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Gold ~in~ Quartz

Gold Bearing Quartz is one of the world’s rarest forms of natural gold. It is found underground by hard rock miners in only a few locations in the world. Most of the world’s production comes from the Original Sixteen to one mine in Northern California. This unique formation is being mined 1500 to 2500 feet below the earth’s surface. The natural veins of gold were formed by hydrothermal pressure deep within the earth millions of years ago. The quartz comes in various colors and sometimes contains other minerals. Pearl white is considered the most desirable and is used in our jewelry. When the quartz contains a rare gold dispersion, an exquisite piece of jewelry can be created. The quartz rocks are cut into slabs to expose the veins. These slabs are then hand cut and polished into stones. The stones are set into specific14kt designs to enhance the natural flow of the gold and bring out their beauty. Each gemstone of quartz crystal is one of a kind.

Questions and Answers about Gold in Quartz

What is gold in quartz? It’s a gold bearing quartz deposit.

Where can it be found? In underground mines containing quartz deposits found up to 3000 feet within the earth. It is usually in areas where gold nuggets have been found. You will also find it near the earth’s surface in those same areas by metal detectors when the same area has been affected by erosion.

How was it formed? The gold and quartz were formed together millions of years ago by hydrothermal pressure deep within the earth.

How is it made into Jewelry? They take the gold bearing quartz specimens and cut them into slabs using a diamond saw. Then they trace out the shape of the stone, picture framing the veins of gold, and cut out the shape with a diamond band saw. From there they grind the sides of the stone until it fits the exact shape of the pieces of jewelry. The top of the stone is then shaped using a diamonds wheel and then polished for shine.

Does it come in different grades? Though there is no official grading system, supply and demand seem to determine the whiter quartz with great patterns of gold are the rarest and most sought after. The quartz will vary from a dull grey to paper white. You have to compare the difference and determine which one you like the best.

Do the gold mines charge a different price? Yes, the whiter the quartz and the better the gold pattern the more they charge. There is very limited supply of higher grade available and the mines recently raised the price another 30%. It has almost doubled in price over the last two years. However there is a lot of lower quality gray, material and it can be purchased at a lower price.

What about the specks seen in the quartz? Natural creations will often have other minerals mixed with the quartz. They often add character to the piece and prove it’s natural.

Is it expensive? What determines the price of Gold in quartz is the cost it takes to mine underground and the amount of labor to remove the specimen in order to preserve it for jewelry use. Each piece of jewelry is then handcrafted and sold based on its beauty and rarity as a gemstone and not the gold content.

Is it durable? Yes, it has endured events associated with underground mining (dynamite) and a hardener is often added to increase its durability. Though very few pieces are ever damaged make sure you receive a warranty against breakage.

Is it rare? Gold bearing quartz of jewelry grade is being mined in only a few locations in the world at this time, making it the most rare form of natural gold jewelry around. Due to the high cost of mining very little high grade material is available.

Can it be man made? Yes, one company has a product called gold on quartz that takes man made gold leaf and places it on the top of quartz. Another company crack quartz and cast refined gold into the cracks. We suggest you ask for a certificate of authenticity from a reputable store.

Can it be put in my existing piece of jewelry?
We often replace other stones in jewelry with elegant gold in quartz. Ask an authorized dealer of Orocal the Natural Gold Company if it can be done in yours.

Click Here to find out how we grade our natural Gold~n~Quartz

Go here for information on how to spot fake gold quartz

See our other Gold Quartz Jewelry