Intense red color and fine translucent Rhombs from early finds at the Wudong (Wutong) mine. This is one of the few pieces that can match the color and style of some good Sweet Home Mine specimens. Choice and in great condition as seen. The rhombs are just over 2.5 CM (an inch) and very esthetic in their placement. The Pyrite adds a golden sparkle and the overall display is very eyecatching. Later finds produced more pale red and flatter crystals. A less expensive alternative to a similar Colorado specimen but still a fine Rhodo!
Rhodochrosite - rhomb habit - with Fluorite and Pyrite
stock #AX-22-111
Wutong Mine, Liubao, Cangwu Co. Wuzoh Pref.
Guizhou Province,
China
3.2 x 2.8 x 1.5 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $725
Winter 2016-17
A choice deep red Rhomb habit crystal with a small amount of Fluorite and Pyrite. This looks very much like a good Sweet Home Mine specimen but it is from the Wuton Mine. A small percentage of these were quite fine as seen here. Sharp, well-formed, complete and undamaged this has a nice frosted surface showing etching surfaces. Choice and attractive but far less expensive than a comparable USA specimen. This quality has not been coming out in the past few years.
A fine, high impact specimen with well formed red rhombs (up to 2.2 CM) offset with branching crystallized Acanthite. This specimen shows very well the combination of Sulphide species that were associated with this remarkable find of Rhodochrosite. Excellent condition and form, this can be displayed from several angles.
A remarkable, fine Silver and Rhodochrosite specimen, one of the best from the 2009 finds at Wuzoh. A crystallized cluster of etched Rhodo 4.7 CM in diameter sits on a bed of mixed Acanthite and Galena crystals. The rest of the matrix is Sphalerite and quartz with small zones of native silver in wires and flattened crystals. Some of the Galena has an overgrowth of Acanthite and seems to be psudomorphing. Much galena from this zone is highly argentiferous and this specimen shows that well. Impressive esthetics the largest Rhodo rhomb is 1 CM, giving great contrast to the metallic sulfides. For some reason specimens from this mine have more native silver on the back or sides away from the well developed crystals on the front. This is no exception, the best silver is on the left side and top rear. Displays well.
A great multi specie Rhodochrosite and Silver piece that has lots to look at! The Rhodo rhomb is 1.6 CM in size, sharp with rich red color. It is resting on a mass of crystallized Sulfide minerals, Sphalerite and Acanthite being the main ones and has native Silver in wires and curling clusters scattered. The rare associations are well presented, few Wudong area Rhodos have Silver associated, and few of those are esthetic.
Rhodochrosite with Native Silver
stock #8.1-419
Wutong Mine, Liubao, Cangwu Co. Wuzoh Pref.
Guangxi Province,
China
4.1 x 3.8 CM (miniature)
price: $1650
A big rich red translucent rhomb that is quite a good Rhodo on its own. However, this has the addition of wire silver and silver "skins" in several spots. The largest wire is about 7mm long and easily visible. This locality has produced only a few good examples of this rare association. This is an outstanding one. The crystal is transparent to translucent and glows with any backlighting. There is the typical internal stress fractures visible inside, a contact on the backside, and cleaving on the exterior as seen in the photos. Despite this it is a very attractive, displayable, bright and eyecatching crystal in the top percentile of quality from this location. A most desirable piece for a Chinese suite, Rhodo or Silver collection or just for the novelty and color!
A large (3.7 CM) rhomb of bright red Rhodo sits neatly on a contrasting matrix made up of Acanthite crystals, Native Silver in wires, Sphalerite, Pyrite and Fluorite. If that list is not long enough to clog a label, there are other dark sulfides one of which may be Stephanite but have not been confirmed. A super example of the Rhodo from this find and the association with Silver minerals is very special. Really attractive overall and one of the best I have seen for the relation to Silver.
Clear Fluorites (very light green) are the matrix for Native Silver, Acanthite and other silver minerals. Some of the Fluorite is included by these minerals - it is best appreciated with magnification. A single sharp Sphalerite crystal is partially coated with Acanthite and a film of Silver. Micro-crystals that appear to be Polybasite are also noted. A very different sort of Silver specimen!
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