Rhodonite (classic material)

Item Description

Rhodonite is a somewhat uncommon calcium manganese silicate mineral, and the top specimens from this world-famous Broken Hill locality in Australia are certainly among the finest examples ever found. The fiery red color, combined with rather robust crystals and often good internal gemminess makes them highly desirable for collectors. Add in the fact that the best pieces were mined decades ago, and you have all the ingredients to allure any mineral collector. This piece is a fairly thick, fine quality, well-formed, prismatic crystal showing a classic strong red hue associated with silvery-grey Galena. When backlit, one corner of the Rhodonite shows good internal gemminess. All sides of the crystal have excellent luster, and the piece is in great shape, with no major damage (just a bit of interrupted growth in spots). Priced at $3,000 for the size, quality, and the fact that few this size are available on the market these days. From the collection of Carl Acosta.