PL12 Rhodochrosite

Uchucchacua Mine, Oyon Prov., Lima Dept., Peru

12.1x 5.3x 6.0 cm

$385

Without a doubt, my favorite items from Peru are the rhodochrosites from Uchucchacua. 

This specimen consists of multiple deep redcrystals to 2.3 cm situated in a vug in a nicely contrasting, manganese-rich matrix.

 Peru produces a lot of Rhodochrosite, but those from Uchucchacua have the deepest red color, and (as far as I know) this is the only locality to produce elongated or scalenohedral crystals.  At the majority of other Peruvian sites where it occurs, it typically forms rhombic crystals or aggregates, nearly always opaque and light in color.  The main exception would be the Pasto Bueno finds from the late 1970’s.

I purchased quite a bit of this material, bit the pieces on this page are my favorites.