Rhodochrosite (old historic specimen) (ex Vaux / Philadelphia Academy)

Item Description

You'll have a hard time finding many Rhodochrosite specimens like this on the market. Here we have a lovely miniature display specimen that features many very sharp, pinkish-brown colored crystals of Rhodochrosite measuring up to 7 mm across, associated with Sphalerite and Chalcopyrite. Now the color is not what one would expect for Rhodochrosite, but remember that it forms a series with Siderite, so the brownish tone is what is sometimes referred to as iron-bearing Rhodochrosite or possibly manganese-bearing Siderite depending upon the chemistry. I love the overall aesthetics, and excellent morphology of the rhombs. The most significant aspect of the piece is that it originally was part of the William S. Vaux Collection at the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences (#19634), which dates it back to the 1800s, and certainly one of the oldest Peruvian Rhodochrosites that we've ever had to offer in the auctions. Valued at $1,250 retail. A great piece to add to any Rhodochrosite suite or a collection of Peruvian rocks. From the worldwide Rhodochrosite collection of Dr. William S. Logan (Specimen #X43-3).