Rhodochrosite with Sphalerite (ex Richard Kosnar Collection)

Item Description

The Sunnyside Mine produced some beautiful and well-known Rhodochrosite specimens in its day. Before the Sweet Home Mine, people associated the Sunnyside with Colorado Rhodochrosite. This locality is completely closed down, and good specimens are highly sought after by collectors around the world. This gorgeous small cabinet specimen features soft pink color rhombs and "sponge"-like formations of Rhodochrosite which are intergrown to create a lovely three-dimensional display piece. Associated black Sphalerite along with minor silvery-grey Galena and soft golden Pyrite makes for a superb contrast against the Rhodo. Although these are not the largest Rhodos from the Sunnyside, the attractive form of the piece is certainly enticing. A very eye-catching specimen for any collector of Rhodochrosites or Colorado minerals. It should be noted that many of these pieces are labeled as coming from the American Tunnel, but the good Rhodos all came from the upper levels of the Sunnyside Mine. Valued at $500. From the collection of Richard Kosnar, the well-known dealer and mineral collector from Colorado. He was also the namesake for the phosphate species, Kosnarite.