Rhodochrosite: Eagle Mine, Gilman, Eagle County, Colorado USA

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Rhodochrosite: Eagle Mine, Gilman, Eagle County, Colorado USA

Description

Species: Rhodochrosite on Sphalerite
Locality: NJZC Eagle Mine, Gilman, Eagle County, Colorado USA
Dimensions: 18.5 x 13.5 x 5.5 cm.
SOLD
This is an exceptional large cabinet-size example of well-formed bladed to saddle-shaped vibrant pink rhodochrosite crystals on black sphalerite matrix from the Eagle Mine in Gilman, Eagle County, Colorado USA. The Eagle mine was for many years Colorado’s most prolific producer of mineral specimens. Closed since 1984, specimens such as this nice example are now considered classics for Colorado.
This specimen is from the collection of John R. Helms, a mine foreman who worked for the New Jersey Zinc Company at the Eagle mine for over 35 years. Persson Rare Minerals was able to acquire this unique collection of Colorado minerals from the Helms family earlier this fall. Mr. Helms had a passion for minerals and mineral collecting his entire life, and his collection represents a very diverse and complete cross-section of the minerals which are found at this iconic Colorado mining district, which has been long-closed.
This is a superb large rhodochrosite specimen from Gilman, with bladed crystals to ~1.2 cm on contrasting black sphalerite matrix forming a showy large 3-dimensional plate. Rhodochrosite from the Eagle Mine is not common, and was found in a restricted area which only a handful of miners really had access to, mainly in the 1970’s I believe. This piece is in great condition overall and displays very nicely. Rhodochrosite specimens like this from Gilman are not common on the market. Annette Slade photo. Classic!