Rhodochrosite (superb twin)

Item Description

The Rhodochrosite specimens from the Poudrette Quarry at Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada some of the most distinctive and beautiful examples of the species ever found. They look nothing like the classic rhombs from the Sweet Home Mine in Colorado (or various other Colorado localities), nor do they resemble the beautiful gem scalenohedrons from the Uchucchacua Mine in Peru or the Kalahari Manganese Field in South Africa. The MSH specimens are notably "flat" and show a distinctive trigonal habit with broad triangular shaped faces (similar to a "macle" twin). The color is often a deep red or reddish-brown hue, which is not commonly seen in Rhodochrosite. This particular specimen is a superb example of these beautiful old classics featuring a wonderful, sharp, well-formed, twinned crystal free of matrix with minor associated crystals on the back of what I believe to be either Catapleite or Polylithionite. There are some tiny imperfections, but the piece is complete on all sides, and is in excellent condition. The broad faces have a satiny luster, but the modified edge faces are rather brilliant and reflective. With some backlighting, you can see the glowing deep carnelian red hue within. A very impressive, good sized and incredibly hard to find specimen of these beloved Rhodochrosites that came out in the late 1970s. Valued at $3,000 for size, quality and the fact that they are rarely seen on the market, especially in this size.