1.23 ct. Colorado Rhodochrosite
Color: Medium Dark Slightly Orangish-Pink
Clarity: Slightly Included
Origin: Detroit City Portal, Sweet Home Mine, Alma, Colorado
Cut: Square Cushion
Treatments: None
Measurements: 6.3 mm
Despite the very attractive and similarly colored gems that have been mined in China, the gem world still widely prefers gem Rhodochrosite from Colorado as its favorite. Given two nearly identical stones, the US stone will almost certainly sell first even at a higher price; the consequence no doubt of a locale and find so famed that it is forever linked with the entire species. We were treated to a few more stones from this mine as the Detroit City Portal was opened a few years ago. Sadly, that was not able to produce enough material and is now closed as well. This is a lovely example of a classic - great size, well cut and very approachable price-wise. Oh yes, and the color is, of course, phenomenal - that intense 'watermelon' color that is nearly unique in the gem world.