A Colorado classic featuring a striking, dramatic rhodochrosite crystals stands dominantly upon quartz matrix, on this classic assemblage from the famous Ouray Mining District of Colorado, at Engineer Pass, about 3 miles south of Ouray. The crystal measures approximately 3.1 x 3.0 x 2.0 cm, and is robust and complete. It is easy to confuse these Mountain Monarch Mine specimens with similarly looking combination pieces from the Sunnyside Mine; but this was examined by knowledgeable Colorado collectors when with the previous owner (Gene Schlepp), who noted the correction to his own label. (Note that Silverton and Ouray districts are only 20 or so miles apart, so it is the same geology. I personally could not tell the subtle difference between specimens from one or the other).
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