Rhodochrosite

specimen number:
2072003

location:
Capillitas Mine, Andalgala, Catamarca, Argentina

description:
Classic specimen from Argentina, a massive banded rhodochrosite, this polished on all sides. One side has been cut flat as seen in the video. This can be displayed from either side.

The Capillitas Mine, located in Catamarca Province, Argentina, is a historic mining locality known for its copper and associated mineralization within hydrothermal vein systems hosted in volcanic rocks. Mining activity in the area dates back to pre colonial times, with indigenous peoples working the deposits long before Spanish development expanded operations in the 17th century. The mine has been worked intermittently over several centuries and remains active on a limited scale into modern times, so it does not have a single definitive closing date. In addition to copper minerals, the locality is world famous for its banded rhodochrosite, which occurs as pink to red layered material formed in cavities from manganese rich solutions. These deposits developed under low temperature hydrothermal conditions, producing the distinctive concentric banding that makes the material highly valued for both specimens and ornamental use.

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