Rhodochrosite with Quartz, Pyrite and Tetrahedrite - image 1

Rhodochrosite with Quartz, Pyrite and Tetrahedrite

Unknown Owner

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The Sweet Home Mine is legendary for having produced the world's greatest rhodochrosites, primarily during the 1990's. Specimens from that era remain the best of their kind, despite new mining attempts in the 2015-2025 years. Sharp specimens with isolated crystals on contrasting matrix have always been the most desirable, from any time or place - and this was a core specimen of the 7000-piece George Loud collection bought to anchor his large Colorado suite at the time these were coming out. This outstanding association specimen is pristine and intact with no repairs or restorations, so common in this material today in the market. It is pristine and natural! It was mined on 6/1/96 out of the famous and well described Full Moon Pocket, which was located along the bottom of the main stope in the best area of the historic mine. A classic mix of rhodochrosite, quartz, tetrahedrite, and pyrite, all adding sparkle and contrast, the rhodochrosite rhombohedrons here are exemplary. They are sharp, well defined; and pristine. The central crystal has saturated deep red ripe-strawberry color. Forming an aesthetic, well-spaced cluster, the largest of the rhombs is a significant 2.5 cm across (a full inch!) and to 1.7 cm on edges. Oddly, half the crystals, including the largest and best 3, have exceptional color and very good luster and gemminess combined with amazing machine-like sharp edges; whereas the other few smaller crystals have a lesser color. Perhaps this means there were two depositions of crystals here, and in any case it only serves to contrast more the sharp and intense saturation of the largest crystals. Golden and orange specks of fluorescent apatite create an alternate, celestial look under UV light. The mine is long-closed, and to find a plate of this size and quality in this pristine condition (no restorations!) is a true find, indeed. Previously in the George Loud collection.