Rhodochrosite (old Japan - illustrated) W.S. Logan Coll.

Item Description

Rare, rich, impressive and colorful rhodochrosite from the historic Oppu Mine. Pretty rose-red rhodo has pseudomorphed a well-planced sharp, 2.0 cm calcite scalenohedron. Bubbly botryoids and crusts nearly cover the pyrite-rich quartz matrix. The Oppu Mine remains, long after its closure in 1979, the classic and most well-known source of rhodochrosite from Japan. Rhodos from here date from before WWII to over 100 years ago! This ancient mine has been worked for silver, copper, lead, zinc and cadmium and finally for banded rhodochrosite since the late 1600s (MINDAT). Ex W.S. Logan Collection # X 84-2 and illustrated in the MINDAT locality Photo Gallery with a 2006 photo by Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com. Fairly valued at $1200 for rare style and richness. We have seen many lesser pieces , priced for higher at shows. THis is a fine specimen from a major rhodochrosite collection