Rhodochrosite and Fluorite (1994 find)

Item Description

Large Rhodochrosite crystals of this size, without repair and restoration, have always and will always be uncommon. This is a large and luscious, translucent, dark pink-red Rhodochrosite rhomb from one of the ultimate localities for the species, and a particularly unique and famous pocket of 1994! This crystal measures just over three inches in length and just under two inches in width. Due to its translucency, it glows, and with backlighting it erupts with cherry red color and some zoning is also evident which includes a pronounced, 3mm thick red-pink zone at the edge. The bounding faces of the Rhodochrosite are very well-formed and have good luster. One face at the bottom, as it would be displayed, as well as the bottom of the specimen itself, show some etching and frosting; however, the rhomb is complete in its entirety. There are several, local, sugary patches of glistening, pale lavender Fluorite crystals distributed about the display side that enhance the piece. A very large, complete crystal for the price. Note the rare fluorite association, characteristic of this pocket in the early modern remining era there. Crystals like this, if they turn up at all, are usually damaged and repaired, and valued highly. We would not be surprised to see such a monstrous large crystal out at a show for $15-25,000. This is an old piece from the famous rhodochrosite collection of Dr Bill Logan (there is a book on the collection somewhere, as well). 265 grams. These HUGE CRYSTALS only turn up now in old collections! Any modern material, from a nearby mine, would actually cost a lot more from contemporary production, IF you could get one this big.