Rhodochrosite

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This rhodochrosite forms a 3-dimensional, velvety, translucent, thick mass of jelly-like color around an opaque pink rhodochrosite core. It is botryoidal at first glance, but actually it IS crystallized, just with crystals in such a flattened habit that they blend together seamlessly at first glance...rather, more like flows together. It is a very unusual style, characteristic of early find shere prior to 1980 and the major finds of other habits at the nearby NChwaning mines. The luster on this is difficult to describe or convey in photos. Silky and shimmering are two adjectives that come close. Ex. Desmond Sacco collection (whose family controls the mines and manganese deposits there). This is a distinctly darker red color than most South African rhodo, more maroon than pure red.