Rhodochrosite (J-133)

specimen number:
9273231

location:
Sunnyside Mine, San Juan Co., Colorado, USA

description:

Attractive pink rhombohedral crystals of rhodochrosite to 1.0 cm in size on matrix. In great condition and quite choice for this Colorado classic.

The Sunnyside mine, located near Silverton in San Juan County, Colorado, is a historic underground mining operation renowned for its complex base-metal ores and spectacular specimens of pink rhodonite and gold. Geologically, the deposit is situated within the Silverton Caldera structure, where mineralization is hosted in volcanic rocks of Tertiary age along the extensive Sunnyside fault system. Multi-stage hydrothermal fluids filled these fractures, precipitating gold-bearing quartz, galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite, accompanied by massive manganese silicate and carbonate gangue. Discovered in 1873, the mine grew into one of the largest and most productive gold and base-metal operations in the San Juan region, operating through various shafts and tunnels including the American Tunnel. Corporate production continued almost continuously for over a century until environmental challenges, including the catastrophic breach of Lake Emma into the underground workings in 1978 and subsequent economic shifts, led to the final closure of the mine complex in 1991.

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