From N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari Manganese Field, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
6.26 x 3.50 x 1.69 inches
Rich specimen of Transparent pink rhodochrosite crystals with sugar-like microcrystals on the surfaces of colorless quartz and black manganite. The rhodochrosite crystals are scalenohedral and have silky luster. Right away, this specimen stands out with a stunning contrast between the blanket of sharp, strawberry-red Rhodochrosite scalenohedrons and a darker underlying matrix of Manganite ore. Most of the crystals in this cabinet specimen are frosted with a thin Quartz druze that shimmers under any amount of lighting; while any of the smaller patches of Rhodochrosite that are bereft of this silicious outer layer do not have the same cascading effect, the isolated spots revealing the underlying gemmy red crystals creates a nice visual that accents a fair number of the terminations. Crystallized remnants of lustrous black Manganite are present predominantly along the outer edges of the specimen (just below the Rhodochrosite), and tucked away in minor casts formed from the Quartz druze. N'Chwaning I Mine, N'Chwaning Mines, Joe Morolong Local Municipality, John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa
