Chinese Rhodochrosite Specimens
Most people have only recently become aware of rhodochrosite form China due to its influx beginning in 2005. Truth is the material has trickled in for over a decade but in extremely small amounts, none of which has ever been very good. I have followed this mineral closely over those years. The rhodos from China are generally very poor. Usually tabular, occasionally rhombohedral, and light pink in color. Most collectors have not gotten too excited about them. Like rhodochrosite crystals from elsewhere in the world they tend to be one of the more expensive mineral specimens available. Specimens from China are rarely found in undamaged and, or, well formed crystals.
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OKI-221 Rhodochrosite, Fluorite and Pyrite Wudong Mine (Babu), Liubao, Chang Wu County, Wuzhou Prefecture, Guangxi Prov., China. This is a very bright red specimen with crudely formed crystals on pyrite, minor green fluorite and other sulfides. Minor damage to lower right of piece which, as you can see is not distracting. I’d say it is in very good condition for this material. 5 x 4 x 3.3 cm. Displays nicely and adds great color to any display. Nicely priced and several steps brighter than the usual pink and washed out red materials from this location. 95$
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OKE-169 Rhodochrosite, Quartz, Fluorite Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China. (I was told it was from Ba Pu, Guanxi Prov., China but I am 95% sure this is wrong and its owes its origins to the Yaogangxian Mine). Most people have only recently become aware of rhodochrosite form China due to its influx beginning in 2005. Truth is the material has trickled in for over a decade but in extremely small amounts, none of which has ever been very good. I have followed this mineral closely over those years and have never found a finer, larger crystal than the one viewed here. The rhodos from China are generally very poor. Usually tabular and light pink in color no one has ever gotten too excited about them. This crystal is 5.1 cm wide and 4.1 cm high. It is very thin and translucent with the typical pink color. Lots of other surface interest including fluorites, quartz, quartz capped by fluorite and a second generation of fluorite. Small chip on one edge otherwise damage free. I have this mounted showing the damage but it could easily be mounted in a way which would hide it. This is truly an exceptional find which must rank as one of the top crystals to ever be found in China. It would be an outstanding addition to any Chinese or rhodo collection. Very displayable and desirable but not at a outrageous, rhodo type price. This one can be yours for…. 1,700$
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OKE-133 Rhodochrosite, Apatite, Fluorite, Cassiterite, Arsenopyrite, Quartz, Mica, Calcite and Chlorite Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China. Yes, that’s right, nine mineral species in only a 5.8 x 4 x 3.2 cm piece. Very unusual, even for the Yaogangxian mine. Several pink rhodo blades to 1.3 cm each with a second generation of rhodos on their surfaces. There is one .7 cm reddish brown apatite (probably fluorapatite) which is highly lustrous and well formed. On this is a rhodo blade and a purple fluorite cube! The cassiterites are tiny and near the base of the piece and the arsenopyrites dominate the piece, also making up the majority of its matrix. The calcite and mica are composed of minor blades, almost micro and the quartz is clear but partially included by chlorite. What a fine mix. The piece has one quartz which was attached to matrix otherwise no damage to any other crystals. The specimen sits on its basil contact which is about 90% crystallized, as well. A fine and unusual miniature. 700$
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OKD-042 Rhodochrosite, Chalchopyrite and Apatite on Quartz Yaogangxian Tungsten Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China. Top shelf rhodo specimen from a country which does not produces hardly any. The coating on the quartz is wonderful little, very light purple hexagonal, double terminated apatites to .5 cm. Thousands of these little beauties with most being tiny. 12 x 10 x 6 cm overall. This is a very rare occurrence for this famous mine. I was able to buy the entire pocket which had a total of 4 specimens. This one was the second best in my opinion. 950$
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OKD-043 Rhodochrosite on Quartz and Pyrite SOLD Yaogangxian Tungsten Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China. Top shelf rhodo specimen from a country which does not produces hardly any. 7 x 4 x 5 cm overall. This is a very rare occurrence for this famous mine. I was able to buy the entire pocket which had a total of 4 specimens. This one has good aesthetics with blade shaped rhodos to 1.6 cm each forming a cluster central to the display face of the specimen. No apatites on this one. 450$
