description :

6.5cm x 3cm x 3cm. Guess most people would rather strip off the quartz to reveal the spectacular rhodochrosite crystals beneath. Rare to see specimens like this on the market. This is a classic manganese –manganite matrix covered with the gemmy bright red scalenohedral rhodochrosite crystals. There are some uniquely formed crystals that are not scalenohedral but rounded off in a way at the center of the piece. The close-up images reveal the superb color and luster of the rhodochrosite where the crystals stick out through the quartz. Even the striations of the crystals can be seen where the rhodochrosite are peeking out from underneath the layer of lustrous drusy quartz. The coating has protected the crystals for the last 50 years or so, the manganite blades are scattered all across the piece, they are small and inconspicuous. There are peripheral contacts where the host rock was attached, some cleaved crystals along the edges and some bruising of the quartz layer where the rhododchrosite now can be seen through.

SOLD

Recommended Price Range

• Negotiable