TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet

Rodocrosita

Rodocrosita is a mineral with formula MnCO₃, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Mina Uchucchacua, Distrito de Oyón, Lima, Perú and joined the Terrium collection in 1984.

Rodocrosita from Mina Uchucchacua, Distrito de Oyón, Lima, Perú — Terrium

Description

Group of prismatic rhodochrosite crystals in a cavity, well defined and undamaged, with vitreous lustre. The largest reaches 1.5 cm and shows a fuchsia-pink colour with visible internal zoning. They grow on a matrix of manganiferous oxides, with an associated tetrahexahedral fluorite crystal.

History of this specimen

This piece came from Peru via Julio Martín and his father, who in the 1980s travelled there to buy material and distribute it in Spain. In 1984 they brought this rhodochrosite, which caught the eye of Emilio Ródenas and of Antonio Baraona Jr. Antonio Baraona Jr. wanted to buy it but could not afford it then, so Emilio kept it and catalogued it as number 56 in his collection. Emilio, concierge at the Hotel Cuzco in Madrid, collected with a strategic focus: he saw pieces as an investment and only bought specimens that were genuinely good or with a clear ROI. Years later he sold his collection to buy a flat in Madrid, which he later resold for a good sum. Before closing the deal he set this piece aside and told Antonio Baraona Jr. so he could get it.

About Rodocrosita

Rhodochrosite is a simple manganese carbonate, yet one of the most coveted minerals worldwide. It varies greatly from one locality to another: colours, crystallisation style and overall character differ completely by provenance. The most expensive mineral today is one of this group: the "Alma King" from the Sweet Home mine (Colorado). Its economic progression is instructive: fresh from the mine it sold for $6,500 in 1966; in 1985 the Arizona Museum acquired it for $85,000 and it is currently valued in the range of $35–40 million.

About the locality

Uchucchacua is a large Andean silver mine opened in 1975 that unexpectedly produced very good rhodochrosites for collectors. Classic material of the 1970s–90s, now increasingly scarce on the market.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0342
Composition
MnCO₃
Name
Rodocrosita
Group
Carbonatos
Category
Cavella
Associations
fluorita
Mine
Mina Uchucchacua
District / Municipality
Distrito de Oyón
Province
Lima
Country
Perú
Size (cm)
8.5 x 6 x 5.5
Weight
275.2 g
Acquired
1984
Ex-collection
Emilio Ródenas > Antonio Barahona
Etymology
From the Greek "rhodon" (ῥόδον), "rose", and "chros" (χρῶς), "colour", in direct reference to the mineral’s characteristic pink tone.
Quality
Top
Value trend
Al alza

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