Description This very cool and unusual rhodochrosite and calcite sphere comes to us from an old mineral and fossil collection that we were incredibly lucky to pick and choose from! Origin: Capillitas mining district in the Andalgalá Department of Catamarca Province, Argentina Diameter: 3.2″ Weight: 34.6 ounces / 2.16 lbs Honey Brown Calcite is a warm-toned variety of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) often featuring a glassy, vitreous luster. Rhodochrosite This pink to rose-red mineral, an ore of manganese, is mined almost exclusively in Capillitas, a remote Andean region of Argentina. The mine, uncovered in 1938 by explorer Franz Manfiel, held the tomb of an Inca mummy holding an amulet of rhodochrosite. The Incas, while working this mine for copper and silver in the 13th century, had discovered the stone that came to be known as the “Inca Rose”. They believed that the blood of their rulers had turned to stone. In the 700 year interval, while the mine lay idle, rhodochrosite occurred as stalactitic formations, identified by the circular pattern in the stone. Crystals are very rare and usually small. Rhodochrosite is known as a body harmonizer and works best over the solar plexus, freeing the flow of energy throughout the body. https://geoclassics.com/product-category/rocks-minerals/rhodochrosite/
