P501 Rhodochrosite

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

5.0x 3.6x 3.2 cm

$185

A very unusual rhodochrosite from Uchucchachua, with a light grayish-blue matrix.  This appears very different from the usual red-on-black displays that the mine is famous for.  This piece has many bright pink crystals on matrix, virtually all of them terminated.

This is only the third such piece that I have seen from Uchucchacua.

P502 Rhodochrosite

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

4.9x 2.5x 2.3 cm

$135

A very unusual rhodochrosite from Uchucchachua, with a light grayish-green matrix.  This appears very different from the usual red-on-black displays that the mine is famous for.  This piece has many deep reddish-pink crystals on matrix, virtually all of them terminated.

This is one of the three such pieces that I have seen from Uchucchacua.

P503 Rhodochrosite

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

3.7x 3.7x 2.6 cm

$75

A miniature specimen hosting a cluster of deep pink rhodochrosite scalenohedrons set against a nicely contrasting matrix of manganese oxides

P504 Rhodochrosite

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

3.8x 3.1x 2.3 cm

$65

A miniature specimen hosting a cluster of deep red rhodochrosite scalenohedrons set against a nicely contrasting matrix of manganese oxides

P505 Sphalerite with Siderite

Ticlio Mine, Morococha District, Yauli Prov., Junin Dept., Peru       

6.2x 5.8x 2.2 cm

$39

~New Find~

An excellent specimen of gemmy (!) honey colored sphalerite on siderite, form a new find.  In the close up, you can also see small galena crystals that have grown on top of the sphalerite. 

Sphalerite is not usually an aesthetic mineral, but the gemmyness and color of these specimens sets them apart.

The largest crystal is 1.5 cm.  Much better in person!

P506 Quartz Amethyst

 Casma Prov., Ancash Dept., Peru

5.0x 3.5x 2.8 cm

$23

A miniature specimen of amethyst from Peru.  Bolivian amethyst has been around for ages, but when was the last time you saw a Peruvian piece?

P507 Manganocalcite

Racracancha Mine, Tinyahuarco District, Pasco Prov., Cerro De Pasco Depart, Peru

6.2x 5.2x 4.4 cm

$38

An interesting cabinet specimen, consisting of a stacked cluster of manganocalcite.  There are a couple pyrite crystals perched on the side, as visible in two of the images.

P508 Rhodochrosite

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

3.7x 2.8x 1.4 cm

$42

A large proustite crystal on matrix showing the beautiful red color that has earned the species the nickname "Ruby Silver."  It is contacted on the reverse, but otherwise shows very good faces.  You can even see most of a 1.1 cm, double terminated hexagonal prism.

The color appears best when viewed under strong lighting.

You wont find a similar piece for less, even from the Peruvians who a set up at Tucson.

P509 Galena 

Paloma Mine, Castrovirreina Prov., Huancavelica Dept., Peru

5.4x 4.1x 2.5 cm

$36

A top galena specimen from the same mine that recently produced the realgar specimens.

At first glance, this appears to be from Dal'Negorsk or Madan, known for producing  spinel twinned galenas, and crystals with a slightly melted look.

This specimen has both: two spinel twins on top, and a cluster of "melted" galenas on the bottom left.

P512 Quartz

Pasto Bueno, Pallasca Prov., Ancash Dept., Peru

3.7x 2.6x 2.2 cm

$26

A nice toenail specimen, with a few terminated quartz crystals from Peru.  I don't think it qualifies as a twin ( the small crystal branches out 1/3 of the way up from the main one) but it still looks nice...

P528 Rhodochrosite

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

4.0x 3.0x 3.1 cm

$39

A miniature specimen hosting a cluster of deep red, rhodochrosite crystals set against a nicely contrasting matrix of manganese oxides

P529 Rhodochrosite

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

4.1x 3.2x 3.0 cm

$38

A miniature specimen hosting a cluster of deep red, rhodochrosite scalenohedrons set against a nicely contrasting matrix of manganese oxides

There is also a white fluorite dodecahedron sharing the vug with the rhodos.  Excellent color.

P530 Rhodochrosite

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

2.5x 2.7x 3.8 cm

$29

A miniature specimen hosting a group of pink rhodochrosite scalenohedrons on matrix.

This piece is interesting because of the elongated, nail-like shape of some of the crystals.  Only a small fraction of rhodochrosites from Uchucchacua have this habit, and this one is quite affordable.

P531 Rhodochrosite

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

3.9x 2.3x 2.0 cm

$28

This is one of only 3 specimens on a light matrix that I have.  This one is particularly interesting, because the rhodochrosite has formed tabular hexagonal aggregates...

The color is admittedly not so great on this one, but it's a very weird piece, the only such rhodochrosite I have ever seen.

P532 Rhodochrosite

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

3.5x 2.1x 2.09 cm

$29

A miniature specimen hosting a group of pink rhodochrosite scalenohedrons on matrix..

P538 Rhodochrosite

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

4.1x 4.0x 2.4 cm

$26

A miniature specimen hosting a group of pink rhodochrosite scalenohedrons set against a nicely contrasting matrix of manganese oxides.

P539 Rhodochrosite

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

3.2x 2.4x 2.7 cm

$25

A miniature specimen hosting a group of pink rhodochrosite rhombs set against a nicely contrasting matrix of manganese oxides.

P540 Rhodochrosite

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

4.2x 4.1x 2.3 cm

$26

A miniature specimen hosting a group of deep pink rhodochrosite scalenohedrons set against a nicely contrasting matrix of manganese oxides.

The crystals are small, but very bright, gemmy, and have excellent color.