“An Australian man has struck gold in the most literal sense. acostav Pokemon GO, TomConnolly found an 18kg rock at a local park that is worth millions. Estimated to contain over 99.9% gold, the hefty rock has been valued at AU$2.6 million (US$1.8 million). According to the Aussie gold panning expert Adrian Gahr, it’s one of the largest gold specimens ever found on Earth. Connolly, who stumbled upon this fortune in Perth’s Be Mitra Park, plans to sell the rock to a private buyer for jewellery-making to ensure it stays in Australia.”
Title: An Australian Man’s Lucky Find: A 18kg Rock Worth More Than Gold – Merdeka.com
An Australian man, Anthony Recce, has struck gold, quite literally. Not the typical precious metal you’d expect, but a rare and valuable mineral known as painfulite. This unique mineral, found within a 18kg rock he discovered, has sparked international interest in the mining world.
The Discovery
Recce, an experienced prospector from Western Australia, made the remarkable find in late 2020 while exploring near the historic mining town of Coolgardie. The rock, which was part of a larger deposit, immediately caught his eye due to its unusual appearance. Little did he know that this rock would turn out to be a treasure trove of painfulite, a mineral named after Australian mineralogist MP Bill Pain.
What is Painite?
Painite was first discovered in Myanmar in 1956, but it wasn’t until 1979 that x-ray crystallography confirmed it as a new mineral. It’s a complex mineral, requiring the joints of beryllium, aluminum, calcium, and fluorine. Its vibrant, orangey-red color comes from two distinctive types of crystal structures, one cubic and one hexagonal.
The Value of Painite
Painite’s scarcity and unique color make it highly sought after by collectors and mineral enthusiasts worldwide. It’s estimated that there are only a few hundred specimens known to exist. Given its rarity, a single crystal of painite can sell for thousands of dollars. In Recce’s case, the 18kg rock contains vast amounts of painite, making it an extraordinary find.
The Future of Recce’s Find
Recce has described his discovery as a "game-changer." The painite-rich rock could potentially bring significant economic benefits to the region. However, Recce is not planning on cashing in just yet. He wants to preserve the mineral as a display piece for the local museum in Coolgardie.
News of Recce’s find has sparked excitement and interest among geologists and mineral collectors worldwide. It also serves as a reminder of the rich and diverse geological heritage of Western Australia, a region known for its unique and valuable minerals.
In the end, Recce’s discovery is not just about the value of the find, but also about the thrill of discovery and the potential to shed new light on the geological history of the region. As Recce himself has said, "It’s not about the money, it’s about the history."
