在研究金瓜石九份的歷中，其中進入官方大規模開採，緣起於建築鐵路時士兵在基隆河發現砂金，之後溯溪而上找到小金瓜金礦。最初我以為這是因為劉銘傳飽讀詩書，卻不知是何古籍中有記載？其後才知，建鐵路的士兵中有人曾經到美國加州採金。
清末大陸同胞生活日益疾苦，沿海民眾大量移民海外，近者至臺灣、東南亞，遠至加州採金；善良的華人一向以刻苦耐勞稱著，因此美國人多表歡迎，直接到廣州等港口召募自願者，乘船長途跋涉至加州挖礦採金，其工作十分艱苦且薪資低廉，並將所有華人集中在所謂中國營管理。按理除工資外幾乎無其他獎勵，如有私藏夾帶黃金者，亦不知道下場如何；有些礦工發財夢醒回中國，乃至於成為劉銘傳士兵，但有許多便定居在當地成為美國人。因此拍賣中稱這件標本是由中國營流出，應是後來成為美國人的礦工，其子孫不了解拿出來賣的，我們博物館幸運的買到這件標本，以填補歷史的空缺，因為臺灣金九金礦最初是承傳自加州金礦的經驗。
加州與臺灣在地質上都屬於環太平洋礁層，火山噴發產生安山岩，在此地產生的金礦也有屬於角礫岩筒的金礦，這件標本看相片似乎就是，也可能是矽化安山岩，或是矽化安山岩爆破後的角礫岩，但不會是一般的石英岩。因此這型標本很可能在九份、樹梅地區可以找到相似的。
Here is a pretty historic specimen of Gold in Quartz from Chinese Camp, Tuolumne County, California. This is a pretty rich and heavy specimen for its size. It weighs 4.93 grams. Gold finished today at almost exactly $1400.00 per ounce. Even considering a purity level as low as 20K (it is probably 21 - 22K) and that there is some Quartz weight, one is still looking at about $150.00+ in bullion value here. The specimen measures 1.9 X 1.8 X 0.9cm. Good Luck! Well, the show season is pretty much done until Tucson, where I will be in my usual place, Room 244 of the Hotel Tucson City Center (Also known as the InnSuites). As I have mentioned before, I won't be selling any more Benitoite stones over 0.25 carats on eBay, please check out my website (I just had an update of some very nice new Benitoite specimens) if you have an interest in larger Benitoite stones (and fine mineral specimens!). I am currently working on the big pile of unetched Benitoite/Neptunite material I purchased over the summer and should have lots more specimens for upcoming shows. My goal is to have 20 - 30 flats ready for Tucson! Big News! I have closed the deal with Buzz and now have more and better quality Benitoite than I ever have! I've updated my website and will continue to make updates as I finish prepping more specimens.
文中所言，其中含有黃金價值達US$１５０，按合理價格應在US$３００左右，今以US$１８７．８１購得〈在我的預測值中〉實屬低廉。
留言列表
