Mineral/Glass Specimen

Goldstone and Aura Quartz

Cuprous Glass (Goldstone) and Titanium-coated SiO2 (Aura Quartz)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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

Identified May 30, 2026More mineral/glass specimen →

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Physical properties

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.