Rhodochrosite

A terrific joined pair of off-matrix, burnt cherry-red Rhodochrosite crystals from the classic locality of the N'Chwaning Mines at Kuruman in the Kalahari Manganese Field, Northern Cape Province, South Africa.  These crystals were found during a period of mining in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s and are regarded as some of the best ever discovered.  The primary crystal measures 3.2 cm tall and appears twinned due to a double termination and asymmetrical re-entrant angle around the crystal’s termination and prism faces.  A smaller, 2.5 cm Rhodochrosite crystal is attached to one side of the main crystal at an angle of about 30 degrees to the vertical.  The crystal tips are perfectly terminated; somewhat unusual as they are very often slightly cleaved, as a result of the recovery process when underground.  A couple of very small bruises are present on sides of the main crystal, but these are very minor.