Rhodochrosite (botryoidal)

Item Description

Gorgeous, intense pink, botryoidal Rhodochrosite from the old Morro da Mina manganese mine in Brazil - currently more famous for modern finds of other species, than for rhodochrosite, which has always been historic and rare from this locality. This botryoidal Rhodochrosite originates from the same locality as the beautiful, and much more common, Rhodonite crystals we see from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Tight groups of rich pink rounded Rhodochrosite embellish a thin rind of matrix, composed of tan to off-white Chalcedony. The Rhodochrosite hemispheres average just less than 1 cm in size and are attractively mounded about the piece. The vibrant pink Rhodochrosite botryoids display a lovely satin luster. We rarely see this style of Rhodochrosite from this mine available; and this cabinet piece displays pleasing color and texture. There is some damage and rubbing visible in the video, but acceptable in context to the size and rarity. A small trickle of specimens has come out of this old manganese mine over the years and this is actually a rather large specimen of rhodochrosite for the locality. Recently, in the Dr Vasco Trancoso collection in Portugal for the last decade or more. Valued $2500-plus.