4.6 kg Gold Nugget Worth Over $220,000 Discovered by Amateur Gold Prospector Using Metal Detector


In March 2023, an amateur gold prospector found large gold nuggets while searching with a low budget metal detector. 

The 'once-in-a-life-time' find was made in the Victoria's 'Golden Triangle' in Australia.

The nugget, which weighed 4.6kg of rock and gold, and contained 2.6kg of gold, would be worth around $224,395 with current gold prices. 

It is no surprise that a large gold nugget was found in this location as it was a popular goldfield during the 1850s gold rush in the country, and has produced many large gold nugget finds.  What was surprising, however, is that the gold nugget was found using a basic metal detector.

The Metal Detector Used 

The unique feature about this find is that the amateur gold prospector was only using a cheap, low budget metal detector known as the Minelab Equinox 800 

Getting the Nuggets Valued

The man, who did not want to give his name, took the nugget to a local gold mining store to have the nugget valued. 

The store owner who evaluated the nugget said it is the biggest gold specimen he'd seen in his 43-year career.

The person discovered that the rock contained a staggering 2.6kg of gold, saying:

“He pulled this rock out of his backpack and as he dropped it in my hand he said, ‘Do you think there’s $10,000 worth in it’?”

“As soon as it hit my hand I said, ‘Try $100,000’.”

The man then told storeowner that his wife would be happy, as he had only brought in half the rock, leaving the other half at home.

“It’s one of those life-changing pieces,” the storeowner said. He also said: 

“When he dropped it into my hand my jaw dropped with it.”

Current Gold Prices

Small nuggets of gold can rea $1000s, with the value of gold continuing to increase.

The store owner said: 

“You see big specimens found by big companies underground … but to find it with a detector, it’s the biggest one I’ve seen.”

The person also said that gold prospecting had become increasingly popular among young people. He also said: 

“If you asked me a few years ago, I would have said the average age for this hobby is 50 and over.”

He also said: 

“....now we’re seeing a lot of people in their 20s and 30s doing it.”

Gold prospecting has become more popular due to its connection to nature and potential to make some money in the process.

According to the store owner, there are:

“...a lot of hobbyist weekend prospectors who like to go into the bush to switch off and enjoy the day, and if they find some gold it’s just a bonus,”.

Key Facts about the Nugget:

Name of Nugget: 'Lucky Strike'

Name of Finder: Wanted to remain anonymous 

Location: Victoria's 'Golden Triangle' in Australia.

Equipment Used: Minelab Equinox 800

Date: March 2023 

Weight: 2.6kg or 83 ounces (actual gold content)

Estimated Value: $224,395

Gold Price per Kilo (25 Nov. 2024): 

  • $86,306
  • £68,644

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Places to Sell Gold Nuggets

 


    

   by Goldminingtips Admin


If you are someone who is prospecting for gold and are lucky enough to find a rich gold deposit and discover gold nuggets, you can decide what you want to do with the nugget/s. 

Some prospectors may hold on to the precious metal to keep as a souvenir, while other prospectors / miners can wait for gold prices to increase before deciding to sell it, and other prospectors / miners may decide to sell their gold nuggets immediately once they have discovered a nugget. 

However, if you are a beginner prospector, you may be wondering where you can sell your gold nuggets when (or if) you find any.

In this post, we provide some places where you can try to sell your gold nuggets.

Where to Sell Gold Nuggets:

Before selling gold nuggets, check if there are any regulations / rules in the country you want to find a buyer that may impose restrictions on the sale of gold. 

Assuming you can sell the gold nuggets you have discovered, these are some places where you can sell them: 

Local Precious Metal Buyers: These dealers specialize in buying gold and other precious metals. They often offer competitive prices and can provide immediate cash payments.

Pawn Shops: While not always the best option for getting the highest prices, pawn shops can be a quick way to sell gold nuggets.

Refineries: Gold refineries buy gold nuggets and refine them into pure gold. They usually offer a fair market price.

Online Buyers: There are several online platforms where you can sell gold nuggets. Make sure to choose reputable sites with good reviews.

Auctions: Some auction houses specialize in precious metals and can help you sell gold nuggets to collectors or investors. (Bonham's video)

Accurate Precious Metals: Known for competitive buy prices and transparency, they also offer remote purchasing options.

It's always a good idea to get multiple quotes and compare prices before selling your gold nuggets to ensure you get the best deal. 

If you have found a unique and / or large gold nugget, it would not be uncommon if you managed to attract a collector whp would be willing to pay more than the value of the actual gold contained in the nugget. 

If you want to learn more about gold nuggets, download our FREE Gold Nuggets FAQs.

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2Kg Nugget valued over $160,000 Discovered Using a Metal Detector

Gold Nugget FAQs


    

   by Goldminingtips Admin


What is a gold nugget?

A gold nugget is a naturally occurring piece of native gold. They are formed deep underground at high temperatures and are brought to the surface through weathering and erosion. 

Nuggets are often found in placers, which are deposits of sand and gravel where gold has been concentrated by the action of water.

What is the largest gold nugget ever found?

The largest gold nugget ever found is the Welcome Stranger, which was discovered in Moliagul, Victoria, Australia in 1869. 

It weighed over 2,520 troy ounces (78 kg; 173 lb) and yielded over 2,284 troy ounces (71.0 kg; 156.6 lb) of pure gold. Unfortunately, like many large nuggets, it was melted down.

What is the largest surviving gold nugget?

The largest surviving gold nugget is the Canaã nugget, also known as the Pepita Canaã. 

It was found in the Serra Pelada Mine in Brazil in 1983 and weighs 60.8 kilograms (134.1 lb), containing 52.3 kilograms of pure gold. It is currently on display at the Banco Central Museum in Brasília.

Are gold nuggets pure gold?

Gold nuggets are not 100% pure gold. They typically range in purity from 20.5 to 22 karat (83% to 92% gold). 

The most common impurities are silver and copper. Nuggets with a high silver content are known as electrum.

Where are gold nuggets found?

Gold nuggets have been found all over the world, but some of the most famous locations include Australia, Brazil, the United States, and Russia. Australia, in particular, has produced some of the largest and most significant gold nuggets in history.

How are gold nuggets found?

Gold nuggets can be found through a variety of methods, including:

Placer mining: This involves using water to separate gold from sand and gravel.

Metal detecting: Metal detectors can be used to locate nuggets buried beneath the surface.

Prospecting: This involves searching for signs of gold in the landscape, such as quartz veins or alluvial deposits.

What is the "Hand of Faith"?

The Hand of Faith is a famous gold nugget that was discovered in Wedderburn, Victoria, Australia in 1980. It is notable for being the largest gold nugget found using a metal detector.

Weighing 875 troy ounces (27.2 kg), it is shaped roughly like a hand, hence its name. It is currently on display at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas.

What happened to the Welcome Nugget?
The Welcome Nugget was the second largest gold nugget ever discovered, weighing 2,217 troy ounces (68.98 kg). 

It was found in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia in 1858. Sadly, this nugget was sold and ultimately melted down by the Royal Mint in London to make gold sovereigns.

Models of the Welcome Nugget are on display in various museums, including the Museum of Victoria and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

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Russia’s Giant Gold Treasure: The Story of "The Great Triangle" Nugget


  by Goldminingtips Admin

Largest Gold Nugget in Russia - The Great Triangle


Russia’s Giant Gold Treasure: The Story of "The Great Triangle" Nugget 

(Largest Gold Nugget Ever Found in Russia)

"Russia’s largest gold nugget, ‘The Great Triangle’ (36.2 kg), was found in 1842 in the Ural Mountains. Valued at $3.5 million today, it’s displayed at Moscow’s Kremlin Diamond Fund."

Key Details:

|       Attribute  |  Detail    |  

|------------------------------------------------|  

|       Weight        | 36.2 kg (32.94 kg pure gold) • 1,059 troy ounces        |  

|      Current Value   | ≈ $3,508,234 USD (Based on 2025 gold prices - $3312 per ounce)                              |  

|      Discovery | 1842Tsar-Alexander Mine • Miass River (Ural Mountains)                 |  

|     Depth Found       | 3.5 meters                                                                |  

|      Size          | 27.5 x 31 cm • Triangular • 8 cm thick                                    |  

|    Current Location  | Diamond Fund Collection, The Kremlin, Moscow • Public display             |  

|   Unique Status    | World’s 2nd largest preserved nugget • National Treasure of Russia    |  


Why This Nugget Matters  

✅ Historical Significance:  

> Symbolizes Russia’s 19th-century gold rush in the mineral-rich Urals.  


✅ Geological Rarity:  

> "Rock crystal gold" structure reveals ancient Ural Mountain formation secrets.  


Cultural Icon:  

> Named for its shape • Showcased beside Russia’s crown jewels as a national symbol.  


Did You Know?

Why wasn’t it melted down? 

> Tsarist law preserved large nuggets as state property—saving it for history.  

How does it compare globally?  

> Smaller than Australia’s “Welcome Stranger” (72 kg) but more intact.  


How much is Russia’s largest gold nugget worth?

[Answer here]


FAQs 


❓ “Where is the Great Triangle gold nugget located today?”

  1. The nugget has been displayed in the Kremlin’s ‘Unique Gold Nuggets’ collection since 1967.
  2. ❓ “How much is Russia’s largest gold nugget worth?”

→ The Great Triangle is currently worth in the region of $3.5 million with current gold prices (June 2025 - $3312 per ounce).

3.❓ “How big is the Great Triangle compared to other gold nuggets?”

The Great Triangle is the second largest gold nugget ever recorded containing an estimated 1059 ounces of gold.

4.❓ “Can you visit the Great Triangle nugget in Moscow?”

Yes, you can visit the Diamond Fund Collection, The Kremlin, Moscow, to see the Great Triangle nugget. It is part of a collection that it on display.

5.❓ “Why wasn’t the Great Triangle melted down?”

The nugget is the world’s 2nd largest preserved nugget, and has unique qualities. The Russian state therefore regarded it as being of historical significance and a national treasure.

6.❓ “Who found the Great Triangle nugget in 1842?”

→ The "Great Triangle" gold nugget was found in 1842 by Nikofor Syutkin

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Step by Step Guide to Finding Gold


     

    by Goldminingtips Admin


With gold prices increasing, prospecting for gold is a hobby that many people are turning to. It is not only a potentially profitable hobby, but is also an adventure. 

However, in order to enjoy some success prospecting for gold, it is necessary to learn where you can find gold, and invest in the equipment needed to improve your chances of finding gold.

In this blog, we discuss provide some tips to remember when preparing yourself for a gold expedition:

Here are some tips to consider before starting to prospect. 


Do Your Research:

First of all, if you are a beginner do some research to learn about geology normally associated with gold, and the mining techniques and equipment used. You can do research online (i.e. YouTube or read blogs), buy a book, join a course


Preparing Yourself:

Decide where you want to explore for gold. Do some research to find out if there is a likelihood that gold is present in the area you intend to explore. 

Answering the following questions shall save you time and improve your chances of finding gold:

- Has the area been mined before?

- If not, does the geology in the region suggest that gold may be present in the area?

- Do you have access to the region, and do you need to acquire the permission of a landowner before prospecting? 

- Is there a source of water located near the site you intend to inspect (i.e. River, stream, etc), so you can you do some panning to sample the soil, gravel, sand, etc)?


Get the Right Equipment:

The mining equipment you shall need to get shall depend on the type of gold mining you are going to do: 


Popular methods of searching for gold for small scale mining in include:  

- Metal Detecting;

- Dredging (underwater); 

- Panning; 

- Sluicing.

Also, check out the following sources:

- The Best Metal Detectors

Geological Settings Associated with Gold

- The Largest Gold Nuggets

When you are ready, these are other ways we can help you: 

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