Rhodochrosite (W.S. Logan Coll.)

Item Description

Hotazel Mine rhodochrosites, mostly from the 1960s to early 1970s, generally came out before the famous finds at the N'Chwaning I Mine in the late 1970s and are scarcer. Translucent, jelly-like rhodochrosite with silky luster and striking cherry-red to rose-red color covers the sawed massive manganite ore matrix. The rhodo appears to be botryoidal at first glance, but actually it is crystallized, just with crystals in such a flattened habit that they blend together seamlessly at first glance...rather, more like flows together. It is a very unusual style, characteristic of early finds here prior to 1980 and the major finds of other habits at the nearby N'Chwaning mines. Ex W.S. Logan Collection # X68-4. Highly representative rhodo of this unusual style, even with the noted contacting and bruising.