Rhodochrosite (5 crystals) (rare locality)

Item Description

When people mention Rhodochrosite from Colorado, nearly anybody would think of the Sweet Home Mine, but there are some other lesser known sources in the state for red Rhodo crystals. One of the oldest known sources for Rhodochrosite in Colorado is actually very close to where the first gold rush took in place in Gilpin County, the little known Moose Mine. This locality produced crystals that were virtually as red as anything else you'll see from Colorado, but they were often smaller, free of matrix and not quite as smooth and gemmy as their Sweet Home counterparts. They are still notably good for the species as the vast majority of Rhodochrosite around the world is pink and essentially opaque, so to have crystals of this color and translucency is significant. This set features 5 single rhombs of Rhodochrosite free of matrix with good internal gemminess, nice pinkish-red color, and well-defined sharp crystal form. The crystals might have their minor imperfections, but they are all still very nice in person. If you collect thumbnails, gem crystals, Rhodochrosite or general Colorado minerals, it's not very often that you're presented with an opportunity to purchase 5 individual crystals of Moose Mine Rhodo, so don't pass these up as they are antiques dating back at least 50 years+.