Rhodochrosite (Significant Locality Piece). Oppu mine, Nishimeya-mura, Nakatsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. 26.0 ...

Description

Rhodochrosite (Significant Locality Piece)
Oppu mine, Nishimeya-mura, Nakatsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
26.0 x 19.3 x 5.7 cm (10.2 x 8.0 x 2.24 in)

This Rhodochrosite has a lot more to it than meets the eye. This specimen is a classic example of the Oppu Mine of Japan, which has a long, long mining history, dating all the way back to the 17th century. At that time, the mine was primarily a silver mine, but a discovery of botryoidal Rhodochrosite deposits in the late 1800's put this now-defunct locality on the map for mineral collectors, particularly those that sought out specimens from obscure mines (mineral specimens from Japan have always had a large discrepancy between low supply and high demand). As such, Rhodochrosites from Oppu have become some of the most difficult to find, particularly large and finely-colored examples like the one featured in this lot. At 26 centimeters in height, this specimen is extremely significant for not only its size, but also its excellent color: a highly desirable salmon pink, not too light and not too dark. The shape is also ideal: a rounded silhouette, bursting with soft botryoidal "bubbles" of Rhodochrosite that undulate beautifully, and add texture to the specimen. This is truly the ideal Japanese Rhodochrosite, the kind of specimen that very rarely comes to market, as most are jealously hidden away in private collections. Many of the apexes of the boytroides do have some bruising, as to be expected from the softness of the material and the age.

From The John Farmer Collection.

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