RHODOCHROSITE "JEWEL". ...

Description

RHODOCHROSITE "JEWEL"
N'Chwaning Mines, Kuruman, Kalahari Manganese Fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
This red jewel is a sparkling example of the best of a rare classic: Rhodochrosite from the N'Chwaning Mines of South Africa. This stellate group of intense raspberry-red, transparent crystals with brilliant, lustrous crystal faces is from the collection of Roz and Norm Pellman. The Pellmans were renowned mineral collectors whose collection of colorful specimens was well known from the 1970s until it was dispersed in 2006. In excellent condition, there are three cleavages but these are very difficult to differentiate from the crystal faces because of the brilliant luster. The crystals radiate outward like a flower from a small core of dark Manganese oxides - overall this singular specimen measures 1 5/8 x 1 ¼ x 7/8 (4.13 x 3.18 x 2.22 cm) and has single crystals up to ¾ inches (1.9 cm) long, and is in excellent condition. There is a custom labeled base.

Provenance: ex. Norm & Roz Pellman Collection

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