Here we have glowing, deep red, translucent rhodochrosite perched amongst quartz! This is a CLASSIC and very rare specimen from the most important rhodo find of the mine and of Peru in general to most folks's mind. These were found just once, in 1980. The best piece now resides in the Smithsonian but the dealer with the lot stopped through Dallas on the way and sold a few selected specimens to the locals in the club here (including Marty). Thus, this is DEFINATELY, by knowing when and where it came from, one of those cherry-picked, top-pick specimens. It has the best color and gemminess of the pocket, superb balanced aesthetics, and is truly MORE IMPRESSIVE in person. The crystals measure to 2 cm on edge and there are two of them, intergrown and superficially looking like one larger crystal, even. To this day, 25 years later, this pocket remains the standard against which ALL other Peruvian rhodos are set and against which sharp Colorado rhombs have to live up to as well. 9.4 x 7.2 x 5.3 cm