RHODOCHROSITE with FLUORITE

SPECIMEN DESCRIPTION

The polymetallic ores at Uchucchacua mine in the high Andes, Oyon Province, Peru have produced an impressive ten new species, but these are largely unknown to mineral collectors who focus on the brightly coloured showy Rhodochrosite for which the mine is most famous. Rhodochrosite from Uchucchacua mine presents gemmy, translucent, raspberry to pale cerise-pink rounded rhombic crystals and scalenohedral forms, usually upon black manganese oxide-coated matrix. Compared with the much sharper rhombic form and more vivid pinks and intense cerise-red shades of the crystallized Quartz-hosted Pasto Bueno specimens from several hundred miles to the north the Uchucchacua mine is highly distinctive. This superb miniature specimen from Uchucchacua mine features several very glossy, intensely coloured pink Rhodochrosite crystals, measuring up to 8 mm on edge scattered over a contrasting black display surface of manganese oxides and country rock. Many more smaller, and paler pink rhombic Rhodochrosite crystals along with tiny colourless Fluorite crystals are scattered in between the larger Rhodochrosite crystals. The specimen is really fine, with no damage, and comes with a custom stand for display.