| The Huallapon mine at Ancash, Peru has produced beautiful rhodochrosite
rhombohedrons of a dark red color, many of which are of faceting quality.
The name rhodochrosite comes from the Greek words RHODON (pink), and CHROSIS
(color). Probably mined in Argentina
at Catamarea by the Inca's more than a thousand years ago, the workings
were abandoned in the 13th century. Since that time, manganese laden water
percolating constantly through old tunnels has deposited bright pink stalactites
and stalagmites of Rhodochrosite. The beautifully banded gemstone, known
locally as the "Inca Rose," remained undiscovered until 1856. |
