Rhodochrosite

Item Description

The Uchuccchacua mine is a well-known silver producing locality, but it also has the distinction of yielding some of the best quality Rhodochrosite crystals from any world locality. I think it's safe to say that the best of these specimens are the finest examples of crystallized Rhodochrosite from any South American locality. This miniature sized specimen features small, gemmy, strong orange-red colored, scalenohedral crystals of Rhodochrosite measuring up to 6 mm associated with minor yellowish Quartz on contrasting black manganese-bearing matrix. If you look closely, you'll see that nearly every Rhodochrosite has a thin beige color band in the center of the crystal, obviously there was some kind of change in the chemistry or temperature in the pocket at the time these crystals were forming to create this effect. The Rhodochrosite crystals are not micros, but they are best seen with magnification. Beautiful form, color, gemminess all around, and nearly every crystal is damage free. Priced at $1,200 in the inventory.