Rhodochrosite on Calcite

Item Description

This sparkling, plate features cherry-red crystals of gemmy rhodochrosite to 1 cm in size, spaced out in contrasting beige calcite matrix; all on a heavy and rich metallic ore, from this famous silver mine. The crystals are a really special style for Peru, and things like this were found only a few times, generally in the 1980s. Indeed, this was probably from late 1980s finds and was purchased by the later Dr. Marvin Rausch at the Munich Show in 1994. The Rausch collection was a famous cabinet-sized specimen collection in the Boston area, later sold by Gene Schlepp in the early 2000s when Jack Halpern acquired this specimen ($1500 at the time seems a bargain in hindsight). The display face is mostly, not quite entirely, free of damage. This is a relatively large example of this style of gem rhodochrosite, and sparkles with rich color and luster compared to most Peruvian rhodochrosite.