Rare Rhodochrosite Gemstone from Colorado, 0.85 cts., 5.5 mm., Fantasy Cut Cushion Shape

Gem: Rhodochrosite
Weight: 0.85 cts.
Size: 5.51 x 2.68 mm.
Color: Pink
Clarity: SI
Cut: Fantasy Cushion
Locality: Sweet Home Mine, Mount Bross, Alma District, Park Co., Colorado, USA
Treatment: None

This is a lovely gemstone and a true US treasure. The finest gem grade Rhodochrosite comes from the Sweet Home mine in Colorado. There are several other localities for fine quality Rhodochrosite, but none are as exceptional nor are they as productive as the Sweet Home Mine. The mine has been closed for many years now, and the portal was buried. Recently, the new production for the Detroit City mine has also been suspended permently. The market has dearly missed all of the quality gem grade Rhodo since the closings. This stone was fantasy cut in the US, and fantasy cut Rhodochrosite is nearly unheard of. The color is a lovely pink that is so iconic of the Sweet Home material. The Sweet Home Mine, is the reason that Rhodochrosite is the Colorado state mineral, and it is absolutely well merited. The rough for this stone was mined in 1978 by Richard A. Kosnar (Owner, Mine Hand) and David L. Bergman (Mine Forman, Lead Miner). The material that was mined through that year was some of the finest Rhodo to be found of all time. The mine was reopened in the 1990’s by Bryan Lees, the owner and operator of Collector’s Edge. The mine saw its greatest production in history, and some truly exceptional material came out over the next 10 years. Sadly, most of that material is gone and very little of the major crystals were ever cut into gemstones. Enjoy this American treasure! This stone was created by Brett Kosnar in November 2024. Enjoy!