Welcome to Copper Gulch Prospecting™
My name is Steve Wagy and I search for native metal in the Central Colorado volcanic field with a metal detector.
The Rarest Eluvial Placer Deposit Was Discovered
Genuine Colorado native Aluminum, Brass, Copper Alloy, Iron and Zinc nuggets have been found and are for sale.
Huge selection of the rarest minerals on Earth!
This is the rarest collection of genuine native aluminum nuggets ever found. There are aluminum nuggets ranging from 0.1 gram to 818.2 grams. The largest specimen Aluminum Nugget ID 31 is certified by XRF and is the Unofficial World Record Largest Native Aluminum Nugget Found.
Shop for Genuine Colorado Native Aluminum Nuggets
Genuine native brass nuggets. Incredibly rare specimens. The largest specimen is 2.6 grams and is the Unofficial World Record Largest Native Brass Nugget Found.
Shop for Genuine Colorado Native Brass Nuggets
Previously unkown native copper alloy nuggets have been found. Check out the XRF analysis on Copper Alloy Nugget ID 22. Wild stuff.
Shop for Genuine Colorado Native Copper Alloy Nuggets
Before now, the only natural iron specimens found were Telluric iron. This is the world's first and only genuine native iron nugget ever to be found. It is embedded and preserved in volcanic glass, then exposed by natural cracking of the glass. It is magnetic. That is the Unofficial World Record Only Native Iron Nugget Found.
Shop for Genuine Colorado Native Iron Nuggets
This is the rarest collection of genuine native zinc nuggets ever found (have they ever been found?). The largest specimen Zinc Nugget ID 6 is 60.2 grams and is the Unofficial World Record Largest Native Zinc Nugget Found.
Shop for Genuine Colorado Native Zinc Nuggets
- Analysis
- Purchasing
- Return Policy
- Shipping
Analysis
X-Ray fluoroscopy (XRF) is performed by Prestige Minerals & Gems, Boulder, CO on selected specimens to ensure their composition. This is an ongoing process. 51 out of 164 native metal nuggets have been analyzed by XRF as of May 20, 2026. All native metal nuggets will eventually be analyzed by XRF due to the extreme rarity of the find. A copy of the XRF result is provided with all specimens that have been analyzed by XRF. View the Details for each specimen and use the Additional Information tab to locate and download the .pdf file.
If you want an XRF analysis performed on a specimen that doesn't have one, please view the Details for each specimen and use the Inquiry tab to send me an email. A single XRF analysis costs $140 per specimen. A single certified XRF analysis costs $300 per specimen. These prices are for the analysis and transportation to and from the lab. I will pay for these charges for specimens priced greater than $5,000.
All specimens come with printed high resolution images and a signed Certificate of Authenticity stating they were prospected by myself in the state of Colorado and are genuine native metal nuggets.
Specimen Weights:
All weights are taken using a calibrated, laboratory grade digital analytical scale, accurate to 0.01 g. The weights I record are rounded to one decimal place (e.g. 0.16 g will round up to 0.2 g, 0.15 g will round down to 0.1 g)
Specimen VDI's:
All VDI's are taken using a Minelab Equinox 900 metal detector after the native metal nuggets have been cleaned and ready for sale.
Specimen Mineral Type:
These native metal nuggets are prospected from a one-of-a-kind aluminum, zinc, copper and brass eluvial placer deposit. No gold, silver or platinum has been found in this deposit, although a lot of exotic metals have been found in these nuggets. I can't guarantee the primary metal the nugget represents until it has been analyzed by XRF, however, I have categorized most of the nuggets by their physical and chemical properties:
- Most of the aluminum nuggets are smoother, brighter and shinier than the zinc nuggets.
- The zinc nuggets are more dense and darker than the aluminum nuggets and have a blue tint.
- Most of the zinc nuggets have a nodular appearance on the surface.
- Nuggets that are a mixture of aluminum and zinc are darker than the aluminum nuggets that have little or no zinc in them.
- Nuggets with a high percentage of aluminum with little or no zinc have a low reactivity to phosphoric acid.
- Nuggets with a high percentage of zinc have a high reactivity to phosphoric acid.
Download Original XRF Batch Analyses:
XRF-1-20.pdf
XRF-21-30.pdf
XRF-07-10-25.pdf
XRF-07-17-25.pdf
XRF-05-20-26.pdf
Specimen Images:
The exact color and brightness of your native metal nugget may not precisely match the images on this website. The light has to be just right to capture the appearance of the nugget perfectly. Glare and reflections are common. The digital microscope can sometimes produce a bluer or pinker image than in real life. I have attempted to use images that capture the natural appearance of the nugget. The nuggets actually look much brighter when viewed with the naked eye.
Specimen Dimensions:
All units are in mm and are approximate. The complex shape of the nuggets makes it difficult to get precise measurements.
Purchasing
Specimens that are priced less than or equal to $20,000 are listed on our newly redesigned Shopify store, which now supports 20 languages. Please view all of the data for each specimen before making your purchase!
Specimens that are priced greater than $20,000 are available for purchase with a bank draft or bank wire.
All specimens are located in a safe deposit box and if desired, can be purchased directly from myself at my bank. SAFE AND SECURE.
If you are a rare mineral and precious metal broker and you think you would like to broker some of these unique specimens please view the Details for each specimen and use the Inquiry tab to send me an email.
Return Policy
We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, specimen images, Certificate of Authenticity, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
To start a return, you can contact us at store@raremineralsforsale.com. Please note that returns will need to be sent to the following address: Copper Gulch Prospecting, 977 Kevin Dr, Cotopaxi, CO 81223.
If your return is accepted, we’ll send you instructions on how and where to send your package. You are responsible for the return label and return shipping costs. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.
You can always contact us for any return question at store@raremineralsforsale.com.
Damages and issues
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Exchanges
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have, and once the return is accepted, make a separate purchase for the new item.
European Union 14 day cooling off period
Notwithstanding the above, if the merchandise is being shipped into the European Union, you have the right to cancel or return your order within 14 days, for any reason and without a justification. As above, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
Refunds
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method within 10 business days. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund too.
If more than 15 business days have passed since we’ve approved your return, please contact us at store@raremineralsforsale.com.
Shipping
All orders can be shipped but orders greater than $20,000 (before shipping charge and state sales tax) will require insurance.
All specimens are placed in a jewelry bag (or a small piece of a jewelry bag) inside a 4 mil waterproof plastic bag. Your shipment will contain the specimen, high resolution images, Certificate of Authenticity, the XRF result (if the specimen has been analyzed by XRF) and the receipt.
Most of these specimens contain trace amounts of lead (Pb) and/or nickel (Ni) which are carginogenic. One specimen contains trace amounts (0.042%) of arsenic (As) which is a HIGHLY TOXIC element and is carginogenic. All percentages of lead, nickel and arsenic on specimens analyzed so far are low enough that they don't require a DOT or OSHA warning label. If a specimen was found to contain any percentage of lead, nickel or arsenic by XRF analysis then a warning label is placed on the COA, receipt and specimen bag to comply with California Proposition 65.
