Rhodochrosite

Item Description

An attractive specimen of Rhodochrosite from the Madem-Lakkos Mine in Central Macedonia, Greece (not Lavrion). I've seen a handful of these pieces over the years, and they are somewhat reminiscent to those from South Africa in both form and color. I will note, although all of these pieces have been identified as Rhodochrosite, sometimes they have an almost pearlescent luster that reminds me more of Kutnohorite. I don't know if any of these specimens have ever been analyzed, but I just thought it was worth nothing that they don't look exactly like Rhodochrosite all the time. With that said, we're leaving this one as Rhodochrosite until we hear otherwise. This miniature specimen features attractive "finger"-like stalactitic formations of Rhodochrosite measuring up to 1.0 cm, sitting on matrix. The color is a pleasing baby pink hue, with some slight golden coatings in areas (possibly due to iron?). Most of the central "fingers" are undamaged, but the periphery is contacted where the piece was separated from the pocket wall. A very attractive and fairly uncommon example of this eye-catching material from Greece.
Ex Colin Manlove collection.