Rhodochrosite on Manganite (rare, old locale)

Item Description

Gemmy, lustrous, dark cherry-red to reddish-brown rhodochrosite scalenohedrons to 1.0 cm are richly concentrated on the starkly contrasting massive manganite matrix from an uncommon older locality, the Moanda Manganese Mine in Gabon. Some of the rhodochrosites are interestingly, two-toned or zoned. This material came out in the 1970s and early 1980s and no more have been found. Scattered bruising is noted on the periphery, but is certainly a modest detraction for this rare rhodo, that looks like Kalahari Manganese Field rhodo, but it's not. For the location this is an excellent quality in this size range. It views well from either direction. Ex Howard Belsky Collection.