Rhodochrosite N’Chwaning Mines, Kuruman, Kalahari Manganese Field, North Cape Province, South Africa. Ex. Thomas G. Fowler collection, circ. 1970s. This closed manganese mine once owned by Assoc. Manganese Mines of South Africa, Ltd. has produced what many consider to be the finest rhodochrosite specimens ever found. Due to their rarity they remain one of the most difficult collectable mineral specimens to find in quality pieces. We have available a limited quantity of these rare rhodos due to the recent acquisition of the Thomas G. Fowler collection. The ones listed here show limited or no damage (very rare for this material) and range from a very dark reddish pink to a rich, bright red. All specimens have spectacular luster and intense color saturation, no matter what their color.
This 8 x 5.2 x 3 cm example has pink transparent crystals on a dark crystallized matrix. The individual crystals are to approximately .8 cm each and damage free and complete in the central region of the piece where the vug once existed. Peripheral crystals are not fully formed or only partial crystals because these areas were part of a thin seam vs. a true opening. The specimen sits on edge and displays well. Keep in mind I am not backlighting these specimens or changing their color with any computer wizardry. They are as one would expect the finest of this famous material to appear, in-hand. $2,900