Gold, crystal nugget - Mina Zapata, Santa Elena de Uairen, Bolívar, Venezuela.
 
Skeletonised gold crystal nugget. 11 mm x 6 mm x 5 mm, 1.7 g
 
During rapid growth of a gold crystal, a lack of gold substance occurs locally, leading to the formation of such skeletal crystals with preferential edge growth.
 
 
 
The gold crystals from Zapata, just outside Ikabaru, near Santa Elena de Uairen in Venezuela, are unique in their own way. They generally have sharp and faceted structures and have a very pure, golden-yellow colour. The purity is around 97% pure gold. Due to the recent unrest and economic collapse in Venezuela, it has become increasingly difficult to obtain this gold.