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 recent acquisition of the Thomas G. Fowler collection. The ones listed here show limited or no damage (very rare for this material) and range from a very dark reddish pink to a rich, bright red. All specimens have spectacular luster and intense color saturation, no matter what their color.
This example is on a matrix of magnesite ore and is covered in an even druse of a slightly lighter red crystals that are totally transparent. They are small, but are amazingly aesthetic. The specimen is domical and views well from all sides. It measures 3.8 x 2.7 x 1.7 cm and has one tiny chip on one very small crystal (only noticeable with close inspection and magnification), less edge contacts which are unusually clean. The piece views nicely from several sides being quite three dimensional in nature. Keep in mind I am not backlighting these specimens or changing their color with any computer wizardry. They are as one would expect the finest of this famous material to appear, in-hand. Fantastic piece! $2,500