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Welcome to the Red Rose Rock Shop & Dick's Rock Museum "Rhodochrosite" Page
Here you will find the Colorado State Mineral, Rhodochrosite!
FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY 50% OFF LISTED PRICE!!!
This is where the rare and
highly desirable Rhodochrosite
from the Sweet Home Mine can be found.
Rhodochrosite, a manganese carbonate mineral, is a rose-red color in its purest and rarest form, however various colors of pinks to even pale browns are found which are caused by impurities. It has a hardness of 3.5 to 4. The name rhodochrosite is derived from the Greek
Argentina, known for its banded rhodochrosite, has an old Inca silver mine that produced beautiful stalactitic specimens with concentric bands of light and dark layers of pink. As of 2002, rhodochrosite became the official state mineral for Colorado due to the large red crystals found at the Sweet Home Mine outside of Alma, CO. Although this mineral is found around the globe, the world's best rhombohedral crystal specimens came from the Sweet Home Mine.word "rhodo" meaning rose-colored.
The Sweet Home Mine started out as a silver mine in the 1800's. The rhodochrosite found at that time was considered waste rock and thrown out in the tailings piles, which made great collecting spots for many years. Later on the mine operated for the sole purpose of finding the most exquisite rhodochrosite specimens, along with colorful fluorite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, needle quartz crystals and other specimens.
The internationally known rhodochrosite crystal known as the "Alma King" was donated by the Adolph Coors Foundation and is on display in the Denver Museum of Science and Nature. That famous crystal is a 6 inch red crystal valued in excess of $200,000.00. The Sweet Home Mine closed for good in 2004. With the entrance now sealed many specimens are being sold for thousands of dollars.
Here is where you can still
find some
very affordable and very beautiful specimens!
Rhodochrosite Sweet Home Mine #Rho85
click on images for larger view
SOLD
This Rhodochrosite specimen is a fantastic piece! It is a large cherry-red crystal on bed of needle crystals and tetrahedrite. It is about 1.9cm x 2.5cm x 1cm, and weighs 6 grams. This truly is a rare find! SOLD! |
Rhodochrosite Sweet Home Mine #Rho700
click on images for larger view
SOLD!
This Rhodochrosite specimen is a brilliant piece at a great price! It has several deep pink rhombohedral crystals sitting in a bed of needle point quartz crystals and tetrahedrite. It is about 3 1/2" x 3 1/4" x 1 1/2", and weighs 0.5 pounds. This really is a beauty and affordable! SOLD!
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Rhodochrosite Sweet Home Mine #Rho1250
click on images for larger view
SOLD!
This Rhodochrosite specimen is an exceptional piece with some size to it! It has deep pink crystals with chalcopyrite and tetrahedrite on a matrix of quartz. It is about 7 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 2 1/2", and weighs 2.5 pounds. This truly is a fantastic specimen! SOLD!
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Rhodochrosite Sweet Home Mine #Rho1350
click on images for larger view
SOLD!
This Rhodochrosite specimen is an extraordinary piece! It has deep pink to cherry-red crystals with chalcopyrite and tetrahedrite on a matrix of quartz. It is about 7 1/2" x 5" x 3", and weighs 3.75 pounds. This truly is an awesome specimen! SOLD!
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Most of our rough rock is used in landscaping, fountains, aquariums, waterfalls, rock gardens and other landscaping projects, and for the metaphysical properties. We also offer rough rock that is often used for ornamental purposes such as carvings, bookends, spheres, in jewelry, and is great rough for cabbing.
Unless
otherwise noted, all rough rock is priced per pound
and the image is
representative of the material on hand.
For specific requests, please write in the "Add Comments About Your Order" during checkout and we will do our very best to meet your needs.
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Copyright © 2009 Red Rose Rock Shop
Last Update: 17 May 2009