Rhodochrosite

  • Updated
    07/12/22
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Rhodochrosite D.50701 Click to enlarge image
Rhodochrosite D.50701. N’Chwanning Mine, North Cape Province, South Africa. 7.6 x 14.1 x 5.2 cm. Registered 1996. Albert Chapman Collection. Image: Stuart Humphreys
© Australian Museum

The rich, raspberry colour of this rhodochrosite (manganese carbonate) dazzles with its large transparent and sharp ‘dog-tooth’ crystals up to 4 cm in size.

Specimen details

  • Origin

    N’Chwanning Mine, North Cape Province, South Africa

  • Size

    7.6 x 14.1 x 5.2 cm

  • Date

    Registered 1996

  • Collection number

    D.50701

  • Collection

    Albert Chapman Collection

Such specimens with large crystals are now very rare because they are no longer obtainable from the mine, which makes this an exceptional specimen of its species and a very fine one from its locality. Its name comes from a Greek word meaning ‘rose-coloured’.

This specimen was purchased by Albert Chapman in 1978 from Miriam and Julius Swiebel of specimen dealership ‘Mineral Kingdom’.

Rhodochrosite D.50701
N’Chwanning Mine, North Cape Province, South Africa. 7.6 x 14.1 x 5.2 cm. Registered 1996. D.50701. Albert Chapman Collection. Image: Stuart Humphreys
© Australian Museum

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