Fluorite with Rhodochrosite, etc. (Mined 1978) (ex Dave Bergman Collection)

Item Description

The famous Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado for many years produced what are unquestionably some of the finest crystals of Rhodochrosite in the world. The first specimen recovery effort at this mine actually took place back in the late 1970s when Rich Kosnar and his father-in-law Dave Bergman acquired the lease for this historic mine. In the few years they worked at the locality, they found fine quality specimens, some of which were unlike anything that had been found previously. This piece was personally collected by Dave Bergman in 1978 and remained in his collection until very recently. Dave is now retired from mining, but he was once of the best underground collectors in the history of Colorado mining. This piece is a wonderful toenail featuring attractive, purple to light purple color (almost "frosted" in some areas due to minor clay inclusions), translucent cubic crystals of Fluorite, but the cherry on top is that there a few accenting beautiful pinkish-red rhombic crystals of Rhodochrosite on the base to create a wonderful accent of color. Minor Quartz and sulfides can be seen on the back of the piece. A fine quality example of this distinctive and classic material from many years ago.