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 one is very different from all the others in the collection in several ways. First of all the crystals are a more even pink/ red color and they are on well crystallized magnesite? That creates a strong contrast in form and color. Their form is very unusual in that they are stepped in their surface growth and often skeletal. It is unknown what the tiny white and tiny clear crystals are. This is an unusually large specimen measuring 7.5 x 5.5 x 3.5 cm and having a crystallized surface measuring 5.5 x 5.3 cm. The surface is damage free and very aesthetic. 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. Very unusual and attractive piece! $4,000