Rhodochrosite on Quartz

Item Description

The Zanett tunnel is named after the family that owns the Grizzly Bear Mine. Specimen mining took place in the 1980s-1990s and produced some attractive Rhodochrosite specimens. The Rhodochrosite from this mine are among some of the most sought after San Juan Rhodochrosites by Colorado collectors. This specimen hosts semi-radial groups of soft pink color crystals of Rhodochrosite with what appears to be a light drusy Quartz coating sitting on slight green colored Quartz crystal matrix. The green color is indicative of the Grizzly Bear Mine and is due to minor "Chlorite" content in the Quartz crystals. The entire group of Rhodochrosite measures 8 mm across. A beautiful thumbnail sized specimen of this classic material. Good quality and eye-catching, and impossible to find on the market these days. The label accompanying the piece states that it was collected by Joe Mattivi.