Rhodochrosite (superb thumbnail cluster)

Item Description

From the late 1970s, this is a very rare and desirable style of Rhodochrosite from the Kalahari Manganese Field with a unique habit, that have never been found again since. The crystals feature a scalenohedral body to the crystal with a dominant "pinacoid" termination that is NOT a cleave, as reported in the 1978 issue of Mineralogical Record when the discovery was reported. This dramatic miniature consists of several, broadly divergent, translucent to gemmy, cherry-red Rhodochrosite crystals from 0.5 to 1.2 cm in length. It displays nicely and is very three-dimensional and glows a pure cherry-red with minimal backlighting. Quite unlike any other rhodochrosite find, these are immediately recognizable with their flat tops that also exhibit some very low-profile growth features. This is a competition quality specimen with perfect size and color and aesthetics to make it space-filling; and it stands out compared to the typical single crystal N'chwaning thumbnail we often see. Valued highly!