Rhodochrosite on Rhodochrosite

Item Description

Remarkable in both form and aesthetics, this large miniature sized specimen is from the famous N'Chwaning Mines in South Africa, and from one of the famous styles of pockets found in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The densely-packed scalenohedral crystals are long and slender, gemmy; and there are two additional features that are both unusual and stunning in their own way. First, each has a truncated, literally 'snub-nosed', termination. You occasionally see this from N'Chwaning, but not often. More fascinating yet, by far, is that the crystals, about 60% into their growth, somehow changed dramatically in form and color as a second layer grew over the first. The majority of the Rhodos are cherry-red and gemmy. Just gorgeous. Quite suddenly, they become translucent, zoned, and pinkish with caps atop. A unique style found in perhaps only one pocket or series of pockets nearby, and the overall aesthetic is alluring and compelling. Specimens like this retail for $10-15,000 IF and when they turn up in old collections, at shows - or more, with some dealerships we have seen on the show floor at tucson.