Rhodochrosite (old classic)

Item Description

Gorgeous, juicy cherry-red, lustrous, translucent bladed rhodochrosite botryoids form a sculptural, very fine mounded miniature from the famous Hotazel Mine. Rhodochrosite from the Hotazel predates the famous spiky N'Chwaning I pieces of the late 1970s and came out in the 1960s and early 1970s. The core at the base of the miniature is pastel-pink rhodochrosite. The piece glows, when backlit. Hotazel is known for producing many habits of Rhodochrosite (scalenohedral, rhombs, "balls", "wheat sheaf", etc.) and colors (cherry-red, blood red, brownish, baby pink, etc.); however, pieces with this particular habit and color are extremely rare.The modest bit of noted periphery wear has negligible impact to the excellent quality of this richly colored example. One rarely sees specimens this good from that era! Fairly valued at $2500-3500.