Mineral/Glass Specimen
Goldstone and Aura Quartz
Cuprous Glass (Goldstone) and Titanium-coated SiO2 (Aura Quartz)
Goldstone (left): Deep blue/black vitreous glass with tiny sparkling copper inclusions; Hardness: 5.5-6. Aura Quartz (right): Clear quartz base with an iridescent metallic sheen; Hardness: 7; Fracture: Conchoidal.
- Hardness
- 5
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Physical properties
Goldstone (left): Deep blue/black vitreous glass with tiny sparkling copper inclusions; Hardness: 5.5-6. Aura Quartz (right): Clear quartz base with an iridescent metallic sheen; Hardness: 7; Fracture: Conchoidal.
Formation & geological history
Goldstone is a human-made glass created in a low-oxygen reducing atmosphere to crystallize copper. Aura Quartz is natural quartz crystal that has undergone a physical vapor deposition process where vaporized metals (like gold or titanium) bond to the surface.
Uses & applications
Primary use is in jewelry, lapidary arts, decorative beads, and for spiritual/metaphysical collecting.
Geological facts
Goldstone was originally discovered in 17th-century Venice by a monk who accidentally spilled copper filings into a vat of molten glass. Aura quartz uses high-tech vacuum chamber processes originally designed for aerospace and optics applications.
Field identification & locations
Identify goldstone by its perfect tiny metallic speckles throughout the glass; aura quartz by its rainbow surface sheen that doesn't wash off but can be scratched by hard steel.
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