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Identity HelpRHODOCHROSTE or Something else?

2nd Feb 2015 01:39 UTCIgnacio Rios Jr.

RHODOCHROSTE or Something else? Seller insist it's Rhodochrosite with Pyrite from Peru. Take a look, your opinion is appreciated. (last pic is of the backside)

2nd Feb 2015 03:02 UTCsteven garza

Dear Ignacio;

Looks like a thousand other pieces from Pachapalqui (misspelled?); what makes you question the locale? The pyrite is a very typical associate, in that habit, from there, & the rhodo xls are the usual "semi-coralloidal" light pink; nothing I could see that would point to somewhere else. A nice cabinet piece.

Your friend, Steve

2nd Feb 2015 03:18 UTCDana Slaughter 🌟 Expert

Hi Igs,

Looks Peruvian to me...which mine is another matter. I had very similar specimens from Peru in the Duprey collection that I bought in Michigan. Probably could be from several districts---perhaps Rock Currier will chime in after a long day in Tucson--he has handled tons of Peruvian specimens.

Dana

2nd Feb 2015 03:58 UTCIan Whitlock

Yup, I have a similar specimen. It definitely looks Peruvian to me

2nd Feb 2015 05:52 UTCIgnacio Rios Jr.

Hi friends...

The location is not in question as much as if it's Rhodo or not. There are also small spherical formations of something, Sphalerite? and if you look closely at the second pic there are very tiny brown dots of some other material. I'm grateful.

2nd Feb 2015 09:14 UTCsteven garza

Dear Ignacio;

The white is probably calcite, &, you're probably right about the sphalerites. Again, using some of my pieces as reference, it seems the rhodo was deposited on the specimens, after a dissolution phase, where the sulphides (particularly the sphalerites & the rarer galenas/bournonites) were heavily attacked or even eaten away. The pyrites often have some dulling of luster, so, I guess they weren't effected as much.

Your friend, Steve