Rhodochrosite N’Chwaning Mines, Kuruman, Kalahari Manganese Field, North Cape Province, South Africa. Ex. Thomas G. Fowler collection, circ. 1970s. This closed manganese mine once owned by Assoc. Manganese Mines of South Africa, Ltd. has produced what many consider to be the finest rhodochrosite specimens ever found. Due to their rarity they remain one of the most difficult collectable mineral specimens to find in quality pieces. We have available a limited quantity of these rare rhodos due to the  acquisition of the Thomas G. Fowler collection. The ones we list show limited or no damage (very rare for this material) and range from a very dark pinkish red to a rich, bright red. All the crystals have spectacular luster and intense color saturation.
This miniature is a vibrant, intense cranberry (deep pinkish red?) and has pinacoid terminations and stepped growth leading to these terminations (much less commmon than the schalenohedral crystal form).  It measures 3.9 x 3.8 x 1.8 cm and has no damage, less edge contacts. A couple dozen crystals compose the piece. This is a great example, again in an uncommon form. Keep in mind I am not backlighting this specimen or changing its color with any computer wizardry. It is as one would expect the finest of this famous material to appear, in-hand. $3,600