Quartz w/ Rhodochrosite (rare combo - USA classic) Robertson Coll.

Item Description

Glassy quartz points, to about 3.0 cm, in a striking dense forest have overgrown the small, classic pastel-pink rhodochrosite rhombs covering the milky quartz matrix on this outstanding old Butte combination rarity. The Emma Mine is famous for some of the very finest rhodochrosite specimens at Butte. BUT, rich specimens of quartz covering rhodo are RARE. Hard-to-see, but this piece also has very interesting chemistry. The crystal faces on the frontal view are all glassy. The crystal faces in the rear view, with more visible rhodo, have preferentially frosted faces. I really like the way, the underlying rhodo gives the gemmy/translucent quartz crystals a pink tint! All of the multitude of the crystals in the interior are pristine and the bit of noted periphery certainly has minimal impact to the overall superlative quality of this rare combination. Previously in the George Holloway Collection. Ex Kay Robertson Collection # 2032 and acquired from Sol Shale in the early 1960s. Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record) and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien-Welt" November-December 2017). RARE and excellent old-time Emma Mine quartz with rhodochrosite. Valued $1250-1500.