Rhodochrosite - classic finds (ex Schlichter, Flynn)

Item Description

When you think about the most beautiful and famous mineral finds ever, most people would put "N'Chwaning Rhodochrosite!" on the list. There is a reason. Since the famous finds circa 1978-1982, nothing that looks like these cherry red glassy gemmy crystals of this size has been found in the world, not even more from South Africa. If the world's largest manganese mines (which, by the way, are owned by Desmond Sacco who himself is a mineral collector with a working team for specimen recovery when they can), it is a pretty safe bet that no more will come out, ever, to rival these. This elegant miniature has candy-red color, exceptional clarity, and gemminess, and is a good size as a medium-range miniature. You can see that Ernie Schichlter bought it directly from Rock Currier very early in the time they started to come to market, in 1978. After Ernie passed, this went to his good friend and fellow thumbnail collector, Shields Flynn, where it has remained for nearly 20 years until now. 3 owners in 54 years! (Shields liked this so much that he simply pretended this was a thumbnail by using a too-big European style plastic box to put it in with his other thumbnails of USA-regulation size...it could technically squeeze into a thumbnail box only on a diagonal.) Like nearly all, it has some tips cleaved. This is simply how the pocket was found, and the recovery process itself at the time was also not at a high level. So, while it must be noted that there is some tip damage it is minimal in context and not visible except on close inspection anyways; but also, nearly all of them have such. That is what it means to have one of these juicy specimens, is accepting the context they came out in. Elongated cherry-red gems to 3 cm, that is the story here! This is a choice specimen chosen by 3 knowledgeable people who have kept it over the last 54 years.