So, get ready for some shiny bits with this month's favorite: Gold!  Let's go!

Introduction

     Welcome to another annual Mineral Picfest summer kickoff! 

     We’re going ‘native’ this Summer with our Mineral Pictfests! In June, we are honoring Gold. Then,
in July we are featuring Tellurium. August brings our short theme to a close with Copper. Enjoy!

A Brief History

     From the dawn of time until modern day, Gold has enthralled us with its inherent beauty. It’s pure
and characteristic yellow hue aid rockhound’s in its immediate identification.

     There is not a lot complicated to say about Gold. It is a native metal. It is slow to oxidize, and reacts
mostly with Tellurium in nature. Its sheen, density, and malleability appeal to many.

     We shape it to serve us in various forms, such as jewelry, electronics, currency and sacred items.
In its natural form, we can appreciate the look of Gold’s metallic and hoppered crystals or its wiry,
untarnished sculpture. For millennia, societies across the globe have enjoyed this favored metal’s
properties. This rare, noble metal has helped to define cultures, and artifacts crafted from Gold outlast
other materials, and sometimes the cultures that have created them.

     Perhaps, that is why many respect Gold as a symbol of longevity. For example, over the last two
centuries, we celebrate a milestone ’50 Years’ with symbols and gifts of gold. We call it our ‘Golden
Anniversary’. Long-wed couples are honored by it. Kings, Queens, and most organizations receive
tribute on the occasion. Our club, The Delaware Mineralogical Society, Inc., is celebrating our Golden
Anniversary in this year of 2010. Technically, the date is in July; however, our Official Celebration Event
culminates in our June 13, 2010 gathering at the Newark Country Club in Newark, Delaware.

In fact, we are having a Raffle of two wonderful, natural Gold specimens to be awarded at our Party then. Members, please contact Alex Kane to purchase tickets, and buy some more at the Party. See you there!      So, without further adieu, here is our June 2010 Gold Picfest.

Gold Picfest!

 

Native Gold, Forest Hill, Placer Co., California (Photo by Ken Casey)		Native Gold on Quartz
Native Gold		Native Gold on Quartz
Native Gold		Native Gold on Quartz
Native Gold Crystal		Native God Crystal on Quartz
Native Gold		Native Gold Crystal Cluster
Native Gold		Native Gold on Quartz

Uses

     Gold has so many uses. From jewelry, electronics, artifacts and currency.

 

Links

 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold 

 http://minerals.net/mineral/elements/gold/gold.htm 

http://webmineral.com/data/Gold.shtml 

 

Members' Gallery

Here is where DMS Members can add their Gold photos to share with us.

Raffle of two wonderful, natural Gold specimens (as seen below)

The three photos above by Esther Kerns

Alex Kane's Gold specimens

Ken Casey's educational Gold Display Case 2010

Until Next Time

     We hope you have enjoyed our all too short visit to Gold.  Please join us next month,
for another article, and we shall journey together!
     Until then, stay safe, and happy collecting.

 

 

Article Contributors

Photo & Graphics Credits

I would like to gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions of our fellow Gold
enthusiasts, collectors, authors, curators, professionals, and club members who made this
work possible.  Thanks.