Rhodochrosite on Quartz

$22,500.00

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The ArkenstoneFeatured

3,349 for sale·Member since 2026

A large, dramatic rhodochrosite crystal showing interesting castle-like modifications to the edges, this is classic old Peruvian material from the late 1970s and early 1980s. So rare, and so few came out...most of us will never see or hold one in person. This is a "modern classic" in some sense, in that many collectors of the Golden Age of mineral collecting obtained one for their collections when these came out. The crystal is 3.5 x 3 x 2 cm in size, very robust, and displayed dramatically for the viewer! This particular style of slightly distorted rhombohedron with crenellated, complex modifications atop (and some zoning as the deeper red color is deposited upon on earlier pink generation), was really unique to one single pocket brought to market by Ken Roberts in the early 1980s, to wide acclaim. Pieces from that find now sit in the Smithsonian and a few of the most important private collections. We have not seen one for sale in some time. This strawberry-red, translucent large crystal is perched on stunning, white, sparkling quartz - an unusual association for rhodochrosite, and yet also characteristic of this one find. Overall a superb specimen of a rare antique find. No repairs or restorations, as it has not been to a modern lab where such things are routinely done.