Rhodonite with Quartz

specimen number:
8911230

location:
San Martín Mine, Chiurucu, Huallanca, Bolognesi, Ancash, Peru

description:
Gorgeous lustrous bladed pinkish red crystals of rhodonite to 0.5 cm in size covering the top of matrix. This is accented beautifully with small sparkling colorless crystals of quartz. In excellent condition, a superb miniature for this Peruvian classic. The color is excellent. The specimen comes with a previous label from the Alton collection.

Located in the Bolognesi Province of the Ancash Department in Peru, the San Martin Mine at Chiurucu is a historic skarn deposit formed by hydrothermal fluids interacting with Cretaceous limestone strata during tertiary magmatic activity. Mining operations in the district primarily targeted silver, lead, and zinc ores, but the locality achieved widespread renown among mineral collectors for its exceptional secondary silicate specimens. In particular, the mine produced some of the finest gemmy rhodonite specimens in South America. The rhodonite from Chiurucu is famous for its vibrant pinkish-red color, glassy luster, and sharp tabular crystals, which are frequently matrix-mounted and associated with minerals like quartz, galena, and pyrite. Collecting in the area has yielded world-class museum specimens that remain highly prized for their intense coloration and exquisite crystal habit.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.