As one of Europe's best known producers of display quality crystallized Native Gold the Brusson mine in the Aosta Valley in north-west Italy has a fascinating story. The area was known historically to have produced huge quantities of gold for the Roman Empire and the Brusson mine was successfully worked for gold during the early 20th century but few historic specimens survive. Then, in the early 2000s a group of prospectors employed modern exploration techniques underground to spectacular effect, discovering some of the richest specimens of Native Gold on matrix ever recorded in Europe. Specimens were donated to major museums and the mine converted into a museum dedicated to its history but some specimens were sold. This stunning cabinet-sized display specimen was acquired by 'Kirby' Siber in Switzerland from whom it was recently acquired. For richness it is truly exceptional for an Italian, or indeed European gold, and needs little comment other than simply to gaze in wonder. The whole specimen weighs 130 g and although there is much white Quartz matrix the volume of Native Gold is significant too, protruding outwards in many areas as bright golden-yellow metallic hackly crystallized masses.
