Rhodochrosite, Quartz, Tetrahedrite ex Mushlitz Collection

Item Description

For those who were around in the 1990s, we know that that era produced the best specimens of Sweet Home Mine rhodochrosite and much that came later is simply secondary. This is from a particularly good pocket known as "Rob's Pocket" after the preparator of the specimens, that gave particularly sharp and isolated crystals with fantastic cherry color. Here we have sharp crystals to 2 cm across, all translucent to transparent in zones, with remarkably even cherry coloration. They are SHARP. Some pockets are less sharp or even have roundish or worn edges, and some are razor-sharp - these are the latter. Notably, the crystals of red rhodochrosite are spaced out instead of clumped together too much, against both white and black crystallized minerals! The 3-color contrast of the red against the quartz and tetrahedrite makes this special. This specimen is sharp, aesthetic, undamaged, and natural: in fact completely free of the typical minor restorations, surface "help" and repairs that were developed as techniques by the mining company and then applied to so many other specimens from Sweet Home in the years following. This was purchased when they came out, in the late 1990s (1997?) and has been with the original owner since that time, collector Richard Mushlitz. It was the single most expensive specimen that he purchased for the collection, as quality examples in this size ran $5-10k at the time, and now sell for far more. Rhodochrosite prices have generally multiplied over the years several-fold. So to summarize, this is an old specimen, natural and not improved with modern techniques in the lab, with upside. It has incredible aesthetics and was expensive even at the time they came out, and people thought it would keep going forever. The quality and display value of this specimen is high due to the condition, isolation of the crystals on contrasting matrix, and color. Today, such a piece could easily be expected to go out at shows, with any dealer, at over $20,000. Modern production does not give up such quality, and these older examples should forever remain a worldwide mineral classic. As we finish the auction dispersal of the collection, this was the best piece, saved for last.