Rhodochrosite on Quartz

Item Description

While Rhodochrosite from Colorado is most often associated with the Sweet Home Mine these days, if you go back to the middle of the 20th Century, people associated the Sunnyside with Colorado Rhodochrosite. Believe it or not, this famous locality was the only mine where people could get richly colored Rhodochrosite crystals in any quantity from the entire state, and every collector wanted a good Sunnyside Rhodo in their collections back in the day. Small discoveries were made at other Colorado Mines, but the Sunnyside was active for many years, and consistently produced good Rhodos. This locality is completely closed down, and good specimens are highly sought after by collectors around the world. This attractive small cabinet specimen features a 2.6 cm group of beautiful light pink color, "pearly" rhombs of Rhodochrosite which have formed into spherical groups, sitting atop classic white Quartz matrix, with a bit of minor sulfides mixed in. The piece is in superb condition, and sits beautifully on its own without the aid of a base or clay. Fine quality, very show, and notably hard to find on the market compared to years ago. Valued $750.
Ex Brian Kosnar specimen.