Rhodochrosite N'Chwaning Mines, Kuruman, Kalahari Mn Field, Northern...
Rhodochrosite N'Chwaning Mines, Kuruman, Kalahari Mn Field, Northern Cape, South Africa "A 4.5 cm specimen with pointed gemmy red crystals of rhodochrosite growing on a thin plate of manganite? crystals. Bought the specimen from Gerald Clark." - Rock H. Currier Whether it's Groot Eylandt in Australia, or N'Chwaning in South Africa, the dominant color of Manganese ore, and in short order anybody who mines it, is black. You don't have to be black, but you will be black if you're around the stuff, whether you're a fellow from Botswana or a blue-eyed Swede. Manganese fosters true equality: at least on the job. So, imagine the confusion that erupted when the expected cracks and fissures in the ore body, unexpectedly appeared lined with bright red shining things that looked like bloody Jackal's teeth. Humans are wonderfully adaptable, and when it was determined that these rosy objects were worth multiples of what the miners and shift bosses make per day (or week, or month) a clandestine marketing organization sprang up to quietly dispose of these fungible assets. About the time that things got rolling pretty good, the Rhodochrosite ran out. Other fissures were encountered but a dependable supply eluded the miners. Finally, nothing was being found. Things went back to their normal, boring self. Having had their appetite whetted, the World wanted more, and the other Rhodochrosite on the planet is nice, but it's not the Kalahari stuff. Maybe candles being lit, and chickens being sacrificed are the key, but so far Mother Nature isn't listening. Rock's specimen is a good one for the find: good color, luster and on matrix. He was lucky to get it at the time. It has a custom labeled stand. Overall Measurements: 1.8 x 1.4 x 1.0 inches (4.5 x 3.5 x 2.5 cm) Offered at no reserve Provenance: Bought from Gerald Clark [RHC #6700, acquired 1998] [Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]
HID09710052018
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Rhodochrosite N'Chwaning Mines, Kuruman, Kalahari Mn Field, Northern Cape, South Africa "A 4.5 cm specimen with pointed gemmy red crystals of rhodochrosite growing on a thin plate of manganite? crystals. Bought the specimen from Gerald Clark." - Rock H. Currier Whether it's Groot Eylandt in Australia, or N'Chwaning in South Africa, the dominant color of Manganese ore, and in short order anybody who mines it, is black. You don't have to be black, but you will be black if you're around the stuff, whether you're a fellow from Botswana or a blue-eyed Swede. Manganese fosters true equality: at least on the job. So, imagine the confusion that erupted when the expected cracks and fissures in the ore body, unexpectedly appeared lined with bright red shining things that looked like bloody Jackal's teeth. Humans are wonderfully adaptable, and when it was determined that these rosy objects were worth multiples of what the miners and shift bosses make per day (or week, or month) a clandestine marketing organization sprang up to quietly dispose of these fungible assets. About the time that things got rolling pretty good, the Rhodochrosite ran out. Other fissures were encountered but a dependable supply eluded the miners. Finally, nothing was being found. Things went back to their normal, boring self. Having had their appetite whetted, the World wanted more, and the other Rhodochrosite on the planet is nice, but it's not the Kalahari stuff. Maybe candles being lit, and chickens being sacrificed are the key, but so far Mother Nature isn't listening. Rock's specimen is a good one for the find: good color, luster and on matrix. He was lucky to get it at the time. It has a custom labeled stand. Overall Measurements: 1.8 x 1.4 x 1.0 inches (4.5 x 3.5 x 2.5 cm) Offered at no reserve Provenance: Bought from Gerald Clark [RHC #6700, acquired 1998] [Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]
HID09710052018
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
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