Spectacular Silver Boulder TREASURES

An Exhilarating New Arizona Find

- HELEN SERRAS-HERMAN

An exhilarating new find made in 2018 that represents the largest surviving group of native silver nuggets in the world continues to generate global interest and excitement. Three huge silver boulders and an assortment of smaller specimens were discovered near Globe, Gila County, Arizona, during a careful search that lasted about two years. These enormous natural specimens of precious silver weigh 610 pounds collectively, or 8,896 troy ounces. The largest silver boulder weighed 417 pounds when it was unearthed, and now, after cleaning, tops 411 pounds.

These boulders were found near each other in an arroyo (or stream bed), where they had traveled only a short distance after becoming dislodged by weathering from their vein outcrops. They have not been waterworn or rounded, as they have not traveled down a river.

The trio of spectacular silver boulders was on exhibit at the 2020 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show® (TGMS). I am so glad I had the opportunity one morning before opening our booth to take a quick walk around the exhibits. I must confess, while there were fabulous mineral specimens of gold, tourmaline crystal clusters, and more, these silver boulders truly stood out for me. I was taken by their spectacular size and the mesmerizing textures on the surface of the boulders. Despite being dark and not flashy, they were truly imposing specimens. Their dark appearance is due to a natural coating of cerargyrite (AgCl - silver chloride). But what I found even more intriguing was the astonishing story of the rarity of the discovery.