Rhodochrosite

This beautiful specimen provides a rare opportunity to acquire one of Germany’s most iconic mineral species, crystalised Rhodochrosite from Wolf Mine at Herdorf in Siegerland.  The Siegerland district can trace its mining origins back to Celtic times, establishing Germany as the leading nation in mineral exploitation and mining methods.  However, Wolf mine only began in 1870 but soon became famous throughout and outside Europe when its exquisite Rhodochrosite was discovered.  This miniature is a wonderful example of the species, with bright raspberry and cherry-red crystals lining a 6 cm long vug which widens from about 1 to 2.5 cm across the top of a rusty coloured Goethite layered matrix.  The Goethite occurs as stratified 4 mm thick bands composed of radial crystals.  The largest Rhodochrosite crystal measures 1 x 1 x 0.7 cm and this vug must contain at least 100 salmon-pink Rhodochrosite crystals averaging 2 to 3 mm high.  A superb and classic specimen of European Rhodochrosite.