Rhodochrosite ps. After fossilized clam

Item Description

A rare and striking miniature from the famous deposits of the Kerch Peninsula, Crimea, Ukraine. Rhodochrosite has pseudomorphed the entire fossilized mollucsc. You can see rhodo botryoids deposited in the inner chamber and on the outer wall of the chamber. The mollusc rests in a matrix of oolitic mollusc shell hash. This deposit is now mined through and gone. Extremely hard to obtain fine specimens today. Mined mostly in the late 80s and early 90s, I am told they are long since through the major phosphate pods that produced specimens here, and new pieces are few. An excellent piece, with good sharp form. Rare!