Updated 3d ago

Rhodochrosite with Manganite

$35,000.00

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T

The ArkenstoneFeatured

3,383 for sale·Member since 2026

Around 1980, in just a few pockets in one small area of this vast manganese mine in the Kalahari Manganese Fields, many people consider the world's best rhodochrosites to have been found. Although there were many styles, this particular style is generally regarded as the most valued and refined - elongated gem transparent to translucent crystals, with riveting color and luster both. Of these small pockets and specimens found, even fewer yet had this gorgeous contrast of tiny, sparkling jet-black manganite crystals in association. The black on red sets the red off and accentuates the color. This perfect miniature is one of the very few we know of with no cleaved tips - characteristic and even accepted by many collectors, as this material was widely collected with cleaved tips even at the time it was found (a 2026 piece with cleaved tips sold at auction in 2026 for 75k, for example). Most miniatures will have 10-25 percent cleaved tips. This one, however, is perfect. It was purchased at the time they came out by noted collector Tom Hall. Tom was the lead violinist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and travelled widely for decades. He used the travels to visit mineral dealers and shows; and he was known for his small collection and refined taste through the 80s-90s-and into the early 2000s when he sold most of his collection to us. We immediately sold this to Rich Geiger at the time it came in, and it has been with him for another 2 decades, thus only two owners since it was found circa 1980. It is literally a jewel, as perfect a miniature of this desired material as one can own. No more have come out, and collectors who do own a good one tend never to sell until the whole collection is sold - so these are simply not on the market - at any price, generally.