Rhodochrosite (mined 1978) (ex Rich Kosnar Collection)

Item Description

For those who don't know, Richard Kosnar mined the Sweet Home for a few years during the late 1970's and managed to collect some excellent Rhodo specimens. This piece is from one of the last pockets that Rich opened before he was done at the mine. The main Rhodochrosite crystal on this specimen (which measures 1.5 cm across) has good red color with excellent gemminess. It is associated with Sphalerite, Galena, Chalcopyrite, Pyrite and sits atop Quartz crystals on matrix. This mine is now completely defunct, and will never produce these world class quality Rhodochrosite specimens again. I don't have to tell you that these pieces are selling for top dollar across the board, and this piece is a good small cabient with fine color and an attractive color contrast between the red Rhodochrosite and the associated sulfides.