Rhodochrosite (rare locality specimen)

Item Description

The Foote Mine in North Carolina is one of the most well-known localities in the state, producing a large number of species, often in smaller crystal sizes, but some of them are the finest examples of their respective species ever found. While Rhodochrosite is found in many different mineral forming environments around the world, pegmatitic Rhodos are certainly not common and often quite different than the more commonly seen rhombs and scalenohedrons seen in ore body deposits. The Foote Mine specimens can often show unusual habits for the species, and are seen in very limited numbers. This particular piece features tiny (< 1 mm) rhombic groups of soft orange-pink colored Rhodochrosite, which are associated with micro Pyrite on matrix. The piece is best seen under magnification, but it's one of the few examples of this elusive and desirable material that we've had to offer, so if you collect Foote material, this is something that is not commonly seen on the market. From the collection Jack Eaker (whose label says the specimen was identified by Jason Smith).