Rhodochrosite with pale fluorite and pyrite — Wuzhou, Guangxi

Description

A hand-sized specimen featuring a blocky pink rhodochrosite crystal near the upper centre-right, set on a rough greenish granular matrix with a drusy surface. A larger pale translucent crystal sits along the right edge and small bright metallic specks are scattered through the lower central area. Overall dimensions are 6.5 × 5 × 5 cm. The combination of the pink blocky rhodochrosite, the pale translucent fluorite companion and the fine pyrite specks gives the piece clear textural contrast between the drusy matrix and its crystal accents. There is to the main crystals. Fluorite is calcium fluoride (CaF2) and commonly forms translucent to cubic crystals; many fluorite specimens can show fluorescence under ultraviolet light, though that behaviour varies between individual pieces.