The nuggets we use here at Windy Ridge for our "Miners Gold Nugget Collection" are alluvial gold. Alluvial nuggets are found at or near the earths surface. They constitute less than 1% of all gold discoveries annually, making them the rarest kind of gold.

We enjoy a special relationship with the recreational prospectors who have spent much of their spare time over the years "hound dogging" these natural beauties, with great success. These nuggets hail from Western Australia and the Humboldt region of Northern Nevada.

When determining the value of natural gold nuggets, at least three factors should be considered, size (or weight), average spot market pricing and color.

   1. Size (Weight) - The larger the nugget, the rarer it is.The majority of the nuggets we use in the creation of our jewelry measure from a few penny weight to a quarter ounce (7-8 grams). We refer to these as "commons". Though, as you can see from some our pieces, we also use nuggets 1/2-3/4 of an ounce or larger.

   2. Spot Market Pricing - Because of the alluvial nuggets relative rarity, their price is based upon a multiple of the "spot market". The smaller (common) nuggets are generally valued at between 21/2-3 times market. Whereas larger nuggets of between 1-3 ounces for example, could fetch upwards of 5-10 times market value.
Determining the value of larger nuggets depends on certain characteristics, such as, how Mother Nature shaped them, the curiosity they evoke and the color, just to name a few.

   3. Color - Most of the nuggets we use are an unmistakable rich, creamy, gold color, commonly referred to as butternut. These are the most desirable in terms of purity. Other minerals exist where gold is "formed", such as copper and silver. These minerals can cause natural "alloying" of the gold, affecting it's color and purity.

This is just a brief explanation of factors in nugget value. Information to "arm" yourself with when shopping around.