A trip to Australia, a rock laden with gold and a memory from my childhood

[Foster88]

Here it is.

I’ve spoken about this ‘rock’ on a few occasions on the forum and yesterday I found it!! I knew it was here somewhere and I found it. I don’t think I’ve seen it for 3-4 years.

So what is it?

It has travelled half way around the world, it was found in Australia and belonged to my grandfather. My grandparents went to visit family in Perth some time in early 80’s. As a child I was fascinated by it, I remember on many occasions looking at it. To me as a child it just looked like a rock with ‘sparkly bits’. It was always on a shelf in the kitchen, I apparently used to always stand on a chair to look at the ‘sparkly rock.

Many, many years later I visited my grandparents and my grandad said, as I was leaving, “I’ve got something to give you” as he handed me this rock. I declined it and he said “No you must keep it, it’s from our holiday in Australia in the 80’s”. He insisted I took it and reminded me that I was, in his words, obsessed with looking at it as a child. Maybe that’s when the seed was  sown. I like sparkly bits maybe, no, that doesn’t sound right.

So here it is. My grandad passed away around four years after he gave this rock to me and I still miss him and his stories of The Second World War.

I thought I’d share it here with you all.

For me it has such huge sentimental value. I guess and this is a guess, it has maybe a few grams of gold in it.

Would I smash it open? No.

Do I wonder what it’s gold content is? Yes.

But the memories are more important to me and I intend, curiosity aside, to pass it onto the next generation. I am, afterall, only the guardian of this rock.

My grandad means much more to me than a rock, of course, but I intend to pass this onto the next generation as it was handed to me. Intact and a mystery as to just how much gold this rock holds. For all I know it might have a large nugget inside.

(excuse the bad photos, taken with the flash on)

Edited November 6, 2021 by Foster88

[HerefordBullyun]

Im sure if you were curious enough some expert would be able to tell you how much gold is in there without smashing it up

[Roy]

Priceless

[Foster88]

26 minutes ago, HerefordBullyun said:

Im sure if you were curious enough some expert would be able to tell you how much gold is in there without smashing it up

That would be interesting to know even though I have no intention to smash it open.

Its value in terms of gold, to me, is irrelevant.

I think, but I might be wrong that its granite. I don’t know what vein of rock gold formed in.

I will tell you one thing, that you might appreciate being a military man yourself. The year before my grandad handed me this ‘sparkly’ rock he gave me his service medal and I truly treasure this.

25 minutes ago, Roy said:

Priceless

100% priceless.

Edited November 6, 2021 by Foster88

[HerefordBullyun]

3 hours ago, Foster88 said:

That would be interesting to know even though I have no intention to smash it open.

Its value in terms of gold, to me, is irrelevant.

I think, but I might be wrong that its granite. I don’t know what vein of rock gold formed in.

I will tell you one thing, that you might appreciate being a military man yourself. The year before my grandad handed me this ‘sparkly’ rock he gave me his service medal and I truly treasure this.

100% priceless.

Nice one! Thats one thing I didnt get was my grandfathers or great grandfathers medals. But My grandfather served in Palestine, but my great greatfather served in Ypres and was wounded sadly 2 of his brothers were killed. I was too young hear the stories about Ypres but ive researched the graves.

Treasure that medal mate, like ya gold

[dicker]

Beautiful rock and something to treasure.   

[KevinFlynn]

Looks quartzy to me, which would be the correct gold bearing mineral. Such a nice piece, with family history attached 😊

 

Edited November 6, 2021 by KevinFlynn

[KevinFlynn]

15 hours ago, Foster88 said:

... It was always on a shelf in the kitchen, I apparently used to always stand on a chair to look at the ‘sparkly rock. ...

And thus, a goldbug was born 😁

[Foster88]

What is this....

How odd.

Edited November 8, 2021 by Foster88

[HerefordBullyun]

1 minute ago, Foster88 said:

What is this....

I can’t be the only one who see’s this. 😬

I hadn’t until tonight whilst looking back at this post.

Youll get £200 for that if you send that to Daily mail! Aliens!👽

[Foster88]

18 hours ago, HerefordBullyun said:

Youll get £200 for that if you send that to Daily mail! Aliens!👽

I’m wondering if it’s the face of someone surround by gold they can’t reach. Who knows....very odd.

 

Edited November 8, 2021 by Foster88