Rhodochrosite

$850.00

$40.00 shipping
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Ships from USA

A beautiful, large miniature of interlocking Rhodochrosite crystals from Emma mine in the Butte Mining District in Silver Bow County, Montana, USA. The Emma mine was the biggest producer of manganese in Butte and also exceeded all other mines in the district for its fine specimens of Rhodochrosite. The colour of the sharp-edged Rhodochrosite is a most attractive bubble gum pink with all crystals displaying a bright, glassy lustre. The mine originally began as a silver mine under the name Ancient Mine, but was later changed to Emma; sadly the person for whom this was named is not recorded (in my references). Manganese was produced between 1934 and 1957, the latter being when the mine eventually closed. Time has totally obliterated any trace of this mine as the site where it once was is now in downtown Butte, one block with the grid of roads named Emma Park, now grassed over with trees and a small pavilion.