large Rhodochrosite with Quartz (old classic!)

Item Description

Click here for a video of this specimen!

Peru is a lesser-known locality for rhodochrosite, making this cabinet-sized specimen (14cm!) an interesting addition to any rhodochrosite suite. it is large and sparkly, with excellent luster and deep strawberry-red rhodo color in the crystals! This fine cabinet-sized example comes from a famous find in the late 1970s. The largest crystal is just shy of 1cm on edge. Dozens of needle quartz provide sparkly accents, along with a fluorite crystal. Fluorite is HIGHLY unusual from this location, in ssociation with rhdoochrosite all the more so ! Examples from this find simply do not come to market often and this is a stunning , cabinet display piece. You simply never see large examples...I have not, in years. From at least 4 collections since the 1970s, with a few labels to trace the history, this is an impressive specimen. One label notes that it was in "Case 1, B.S.M. ", which i suspect is Butte School of Mines Museum, at Montana Tech. Valued $7500-9500