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Bessie G Mine Colorado Gold Telluride Ore Specimen – XRF.
Offered here is a substantial 816 gram (1 lb 12.8 oz) mineralized ore specimen from the historic Bessie G Mine in the La Plata Mountains of southwestern Colorado.
This is a large, impressive display specimen featuring quartz-rich mineralization, dark metallic crystals and blades, iron-oxide staining, and open crystal-lined cavities. Under magnification, the specimen becomes particularly impressive, revealing numerous metallic, strongly striated and bladed crystal forms surrounded by fine quartz and secondary mineral growth.
The Bessie G is historically associated with a complex gold-silver-telluride mineral system, including minerals such as sylvanite, krennerite, hessite, calaverite and coloradoite. The individual metallic phases visible in this particular specimen have not been independently laboratory identified, so they are represented as metallic/telluride-associated mineralization rather than assigning a specific species based solely on appearance.
SPECIMEN DETAILS
Weight: 816 grams / 1 lb 12.8 oz
Locality: Bessie G Mine, La Plata Mountains, Colorado
Material: Mineralized quartz/host rock with metallic mineralization and extensive oxidation
Specimen: You will receive the exact specimen pictured
XRF TESTED – READINGS FROM THIS SPECIFIC SPECIMEN
The XRF photographs included with the listing are actual spot readings taken directly from this 816g specimen, not representative readings from another piece.
XRF Spot Reading #1
- Gold (Au): 1.29%
- Rhodium (Rh): 1.44%
- Iridium (Ir): 9.10%
- Iron (Fe): 81.88%
- Chromium (Cr): 1.63%
- Zinc (Zn): 0.613%
- Titanium (Ti): 3.13%
XRF Spot Reading #2
- Gold (Au): 0.845%
- Palladium (Pd): 1.14%
- Rhodium (Rh): 2.34%
- Iridium (Ir): 7.28%
- Cadmium (Cd): 1.62%
- Iron (Fe): 82.43%
- Zinc (Zn): 0.464%
- Indium (In): 1.49%
Importantly, gold was detected in both XRF spot tests. The instrument also reported Rh, Ir and, in one reading, Pd.
XRF Disclosure: Handheld XRF readings on complex natural ores can be influenced by mineral heterogeneity, surface geometry, matrix effects and spectral interference. These readings represent localized areas tested on this specimen only and should not be interpreted as the average composition of the entire 816g specimen. XRF is not a substitute for fire assay, ICP analysis or other quantitative bulk analysis. No claim is being made that the reported percentages extend throughout the entire specimen.
EXCELLENT MICROSCOPIC CRYSTAL DEVELOPMENT
The magnified photographs included in the listing are also from the actual specimen being sold.
Under magnification, this piece reveals:
- Dark gray to metallic crystal aggregates
- Strongly striated and bladed metallic crystals
- Metallic plates and blocky crystal forms
- Numerous quartz microcrystals
- Open vugs and protected crystal pockets
- Complex metallic/quartz intergrowths
- Dark sulfide/telluride-associated mineralization
- Heavy orange, brown and reddish iron-oxide alteration
Several metallic crystals exhibit particularly pronounced parallel striations and bladed morphology, giving this specimen excellent interest under a loupe or microscope.
AN IMPRESSIVE BESSIE G DISPLAY SPECIMEN
At **816 grams—nearly 1.8 pounds—**this is considerably more substantial than a typical thumbnail or small hand specimen.
One side exposes the specimen\'s highly mineralized crystalline zone, while the larger host-rock portion preserves the natural structure and alteration surrounding the mineralized area. The contrast between the rusty oxidized exterior, quartz, cavities and dark metallic crystals gives the piece considerable character.
One of the most interesting characteristics of this specimen is the presence of fine metallic wires and elongated metallic growths visible within and around the mineralized areas. Under magnification, these features can be seen extending across and between the surrounding crystalline material. Some appear as thin individual wires, while other areas show more irregular, intertwined or elongated metallic growth.
This specimen would be particularly suited for a:
Colorado mineral collection • Historic mining collection • Gold-ore collection • Telluride collection • Cabinet display • Microscope study collection • Mineral research collection
The combination of its large 816g size, historic Bessie G provenance, crystalline metallic mineralization, microscopic features, and specimen-specific XRF results makes this a particularly interesting example from the property.
IMPORTANT SIZE-REFERENCE NOTE
The one-troy-ounce .999 fine silver round shown in the photographs is for size reference only.
THE SILVER ROUND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SALE.
You are purchasing the 816g Bessie G mineral specimen only, exactly as pictured.
Private patented property – specimen obtained from the Bessie G property.
