Most substances are originally created deep within the earth’s crust in the form of fluids. When these fluids are heated (because of the planet’s high internal temperature), they travel through the rocks and take ‘dissolved’ gold or silver with them. During this process, the liquid reacts to its environment and eventually materializes in the fissures and cracks of various minerals, like the quartz for example.
Quartz is the last mineral to be crystallized from the magma or from hydrothermal solutions therefore it remains in liquid state for a very long time so it has a chance to collect stable metals like gold normally in vein-like occurrences. The gold fills the cracks and crevices in the quartz, while the rising gold solutions seep into the existing quartz vein, filling the last remaining holes.
Similar to gold, quartz is a ‘mineral fluid’ which travels upward and solidifies into its mined form. Their chemical compositions are quite complementary and are, therefore, often found together. When the quartz first begins to solidify, substances like pyrite or other sulfide minerals (which reside closer to the Earth’s crust) tend to form within the mineral. However, these substances do not stay in the mineral for long and usually rush out due to bad weather or other natural events. When this happens, it leaves behind voids and tiny porous cracks in the quartz. Later, when the fluid containing gold passes through the mineral, gold particles start to form in its crevices. Over time, this material reaches a more metallic state and eventually becomes the gold that we all know and love.
Prospectors prize beautiful gold and quartz specimens and they are a rare find. When the gold is distributed through the quartz in a balanced way that appeals to the eye, the quartz can be cut into a gemstone and fitted into an exquisite piece of jewelry. These gems are set in jewelry to create a natural, one-of-a-kind piece. Because this type of gem is so rare, most consumers have never seen gold in quartz jewelry.
