Rhodochrosite ps. After Calcite (1800's-era classic find)

Item Description

Oppu Mine rhodochrosite is the most important and classic Japanese locale for the species, long after its closing in 1979. This historic and ancient mine has been worked for silver, copper, lead, zinc and cadmium and finally for banded rhodochrosite since the late 1600s (MINDAT). Beautiful, translucent, rose-red rhodochrosite has pseudomorphed an impressive dense plate of calcite scalenohedrons. The bit of underlying matrix is sulfides and quartz, with some sulfides showing on the rhodo, adding contrast. The broken pseudo shows the hole where the precipitating fluids flowed, adding much character. Gentle bruising and the noted periphery wear have little impact to the overall highly quality of this 360-degree old-timer. Crystallized rhodos from here date from before WWII to over 100 years ago! SELDOM available for sale, this is a fine display quality specimen. Choice material valued at $1500.