After purchasing the specimen, I learned from Mike Kiem that the Hiss collection had been in large part sold the Miner's Lunchbox. (Or was is Kristalle, as Kevin Ward remembers?)

Aquired from Kevin Ward in April 2005.

Rob Lavinsky recalls seeing the specimen many years previosly in the John Attard collection, before an intervening trim job.

From Kevin's Description:

EXCEPTIONAL and RARE! Every now and then I track down a specimen that seldomly sees the light of day outside of a private collection. This is one of them! This is a glassy, gemmy, nearly Sweet Home Mine quality specimen of Rhodochrosite from the Emma Mine in Butte, Montana!!

Without a doubt, the best I have ever seen from Butte. This specimen appears to be composed of two distinct growth layers. The first layer being of the typical opaque-pink Rhodochrosite with Pyrite accents which was then, at a later time, overgrown by gemmy, cherry-red rhombs of Rhodochrosite!

Measures 9.5 cm by 14 cm in size

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Photos ©2005 Richard Geiger