Rhodochrosite (circa 1800s)

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A heavy druse of pastel pink, lustrous, intergrown, platy crystals of Rhodochrosite are set on a contrasting plate of dark gray matrix from Romania. This historic gold mining town (formerly Nagyag) is the type locality for eight mineral species (nagyagite, alabandite, petzite, krennerite) and scores of other associated species. Hundreds of translucent, 3 to 4 mm, platy, disk-like Rhodochrosite crystals are aggregated into almost flower-like rosettes that are nearly see-through enough that a hint of the dark gray matrix is perceptible. The effect of light on and through the Rhodochrosite crystals makes them look pearlescent. A few, incomplete, milky white Quartz crystals are found along the periphery. Two very old, historic European labels come with the piece. Ex. William Logan collection. We have simply not seen anything comparable to this for sale, and we believe it to be a significant locality specimen.