Rhodochrosite ps. After fossilized mollusc

Item Description

A rare and striking large miniature from the famous deposits of the Kerch Peninsula, Crimea, Ukraine. Rhodochrosite has pseudomorphed the entire fossilized mollucsc (that's a weathered white rhodochrosite rind). You can see rhodo botryoids deposited in the inner chamber and in the wall layers. 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!