Rhodochrosite

Unknown Owner

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On a matrix of contrasting jet black manganese oxide, is a cascade of gemmy, light red, scalenohedral crystals of rhodochrosite, a few of which are doubly terminated. The largest crystals reach almost 1.0 cm across, which is HUGE in size for the locality. In fact, the piece is one of the richest and best specimens I have ever seen for sale from this location, which produced them in the 1960s. I got it from Gilbert Gauthier, the well-known dealer in Mouanda Mine minerals, in the 1990s and sold it to Stretch at that time. If htis were from NChwaning it would be at least this price, and not nearly as rare and desirable for the price range. Instead, it IS rare and desirable because you can get about the best that th mine produced, and in a visible display specimen without breaking the bank. In fact, crystals abound on the back side also.