Rhodochrosite with Fairfieldite (rare association)

Item Description

Rhodochrosite is a fairly widespread and beloved species, found in many different environments on Earth. Most of the best-known Rhodos are found in ore body deposits, but pegmatitic Rhodo specimens are certainly not common and often quite different than the more commonly seen rhombs and scalenohedrons for ore bodies. This piece is from the famed Foote Mine in North Carolina, which was known to produce some unusual habits of Rhodochrosite in very limited numbers. This particular piece features many tiny pinkish-brown colored Rhodochrosite aggregates that measure about 1 mm, which are associated with Fairfieldite, a rare phosphate species, which is best-known from the Foote Mine, but RARELY seen in association with Rhodochrosite We photographed the piece with a Canon MP-E 65 mm macro lens to better illustrate the quality. A really cool example of this elusive and desirable material, one of the few we've had to offer.
From the collection Jack Eaker (whose label says the specimen was identified by Jason Smith).