This specimen is a total gem, and an example of what you can find if you're in the right place at the right time - in this case, in a hotel room in Tucson, after the Saturday night TGMS show banquet, where an erstwhile serious mineral collector was meeting with a dealer, to offer his collection for sale.

I was thus "first in line" for dibs on this specimen (and, consequently liable to pay more for the privilege!).

The collection was centered on exquisite examples, mostly minatures and small cabs, of aesthetics in classic occurances. This N'Chwaning miniature jumped out in a blaze of Kalahari red, and it was love at first sight.

The crystals are pristine, gemmy, deep red, and arranged by the master sculptor on a beautifully contrasting manganite matrix, making it all the more unusual. This rock would seem to be the perfect companion for 772 and 773.

So, it was love at first sight, and, happily, these crystals are now in this collection, completing a killer "N'Chwaning Rhodo Tryptic".

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Photos ©&2008 RIchard Geiger