From the late 1970s, this is a very rare and desirable style of rhodochrosite we called "shields" in habit, that have never been found again since. The crystals feature a "flattish habit with a dominant pinacoid" according to the article in the 1978 issue of Mineralogical Record when the discovery was reported. This is a large, dramatic piece, free of damage except only on one peripheral crystal contact. It displays upright and very 3-dimensional; and glows a pure cherry red when backlit with light. It is featured in a small print-run book on the Halpern Collection called "The Reds and the Golds," 2010. Jack obtained it in 1984 from a well-known dealership that took Dr. Fred Pough's (1906-2006) lifelong mineral collection on consignment from the man under promises of selling it all and sadly (as was the way of it at that time and with this dealer), sold the best and returned the rest to the man years later (of which I bought many of his thumbnails a decade later). Jack was a lucky collector who got in on the beginning of the sale and obtained many choice Pough specimens now in the collection. Unlike many "strawberry colored" examples, this has excellent cherry color and a good luster. Quite unlike any other rhodochrosite find, these are immediately recognizable. Note that our photos show front lighting and one photo with only a minimal backlight, to be realistic. It is better in person. Comes with a custom lucite base for safe, upright, ideal display.

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