A Fine Chinese Rhodochrosite

A Fine Chinese Rhodochrosite

Wutong Mine, Liubao, Cangwu County., Wuzhou Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China

Overall size 13.5 x 9.0 x 6.0 cm. Though the Wutong mine first opened in 1958 and produced lead, zinc and silver for many decades thereafter, it was nearly a half century until the rich pink to red rhodochrosite deposits were uncovered, sparking international excitement. The attractive example here, featuring flattened rhomboid rhodochrosite crystal 'blades' with high translucency and rich pink-red color with minor associated colorless fluorite, exhibits what all the excitement is about. With custom lucite base.