Superb Rhodochrosite ps. After fossilized Mollusc

Item Description

A superb, striking, and symmetrical fossilized mollusc from the famous deposits of the Kerch Peninsula, Crimea, Ukraine. Rhodochrosite has perfectly pseudomorphed the entire fossilized mollucsc (that's a weathered white rhodochrosite rind) on this rare miniature. The window to the interior reveals the pretty, translucent pastel-pink and dark pink of the walls and botyroids. This deposit is now mined through and gone. Extremely hard to obtain fine specimens today. Mined mostly in the late 80s and early 90s, I am told they are long since through the major phosphate pods that produced specimens here, and new pieces are few. An excellent and pristine piece, with sharp form and the ribs really standing out. Valued $500-700. I only get a few of these now, from old collections. This is the last of the five new ones I found at the Munich Show last year.