Rhodochrosite (classic locale)

Item Description

Sculptural, solid, thin rolling crust of rich rose-pink, lustrous, translucent, bubbly rhodochrosite botryoids from the famous and historic Oppu Mine of Japan. Several of the edges show the banded nature of the rhodochrosite. Very nearly pristine, for all the richness, with only two gentle adjacent spots of bruising noted. Oppu Mine rhodochrosite is the most important and classic Japanese locale for the species, long after its closing in 1979. This historic and ancient mine has been worked for silver, copper, lead, zinc and cadmium and finally for banded rhodochrosite since the late 1600s (MINDAT). Crystallized rhodos from here date from before WWII to over 100 years ago! Rich, classic, very showy and excellent rhodochrosite from the renowned locale. Such specimens are usually valued, if seen at shows from old collections, in the $2000-3500 range.