Rhodochrosite on Manganite

Item Description

Rhodochrosite comes from the Kalahari in all shapes and forms, sizes and shades of red. This however is fairly unique! It is a large central crystal, just under 2 cm tall, surrounded by parallel growth crystals that give it a huge number of reflections - very, very different in aspect from any other larger rhodo crystal of this otherwise common shape (the gem scalenohedrons) we have seen. Dr. Pohl, she LOVED African minerals and loved her miniatures, and built a gorgeous suite of fine miniatures of every habit - 3 of which are in this auction set. Literally, this looks like a red Christmas tree made of rhodochrosite! It is glassy, lustrous, and wet-looking (naturally, no oil!). This cluster is undamaged and has a perfect and sharp termination - and is complete on the back as well. Literally, a shocking specimen in person fo the glassy and sparkly look, combined with the complex shapes. As a bonus, the red rhodochrosite sits on a thin layer of jet black crystallized manganite crystals, itself perched on a thin plate of manganese ore. Such an association, this contrast, is so rarely seen from the Kalahari! We treasure this miniature, as did Dr. Pohl, as one of the more special items in the Kalahari miniatures collection.