Rhodochrosite–fluorite with pyrite, Wutong Mine — 97 g

Description

This specimen shows a drusy coating of rhodochrosite and fluorite with pale green, lavender and pink tones resting on a grey granular matrix. Small cavities are present in the matrix and there are scattered pyrite crystals visible on the surface. Measuring 6 × 4.5 × 2.5 cm and weighing 97 g, the piece displays a fine, sugary druse rather than individual large crystals; colour is distributed across the coating and the matrix is granular and grey. The combination of rhodochrosite, fluorite and pyrite from the Wutong Mine, Wuzhou, Guangxi Province, China. Fluorite is a calcium fluoride (CaF2) that commonly forms cubic crystals and can show variable fluorescence under ultraviolet light; rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate.