Rhodochrosite from the Kalahari Manganese Field is one of the “Holy Grails” of collecting minerals. The cherry red specimens, such as this, were found in a narrow window around 1980. This material was never seen again in quality and size, even after the subsequent 45 years. This piece is from a find often called "the cherry pocket"; noted for intense, saturated cherry red color. Such specimens are generally small, or big and rough. This is a perfect collector sized specimen with riveting color, perfect crystals to 2 cm shooting up, and a wonderful overall aesthetic. It visually seems to glow, even without strong lighting, because the color is so rich. Some other pockets have specimens of other styles: bigger crystals, perhaps darker or not, or more gemmy or not. This shocking, intense saturated color, however, has always remained among the most desirable of all the finds. Today, specimens like this come only out of old generational collections. The most glorious cherry red color possible in this material. With a custom lucite display base.
9.0 x 5.7 x 4.2 cm. (3.54 x 2.24 x 1.65 in.) and 332 g.