FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[GneissWare]

Hi all,
Knowing there are lots of knowledgeable folks on this forum, I have a specimen I am trying to establish a definite locality. It is reportedly a Rhodochrosite with Pyrite and Quartz. The label also claims Argentite is present, but I don't think so. It appears Sphalerite and maybe Hematite is present.

It is ex J.G. Dixon collection (maybe J.Q. Dixon)
ex. Mareher collection (through Chuck Jordan)

If anyone knows this material, and can help pin it down as far as mineralogy and specific locality, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if anyone knows anything about the ex collectors, that would be nice too.

Thanks,
Bob

[Les Presmyk]

Definitely from Cananea and it is an old specimen. I, too, would suspect sphalerite or tetrahedrite but not acanthite.

[GneissWare]

Hi Les,
Any idea of which mine may have produced it? And, by "old", I presume based on the reference to Chuck Jordan, that it from the 1940s to 1950s?
Bob

[Peter Megaw]

I agree with Les, although I have a Cananea rhodo piece with enargite on the matrix as semi-corroded (possibly pseudomorphed) coarsely bladed crystals.

[Les Presmyk]

Much older. I know of one collection with these rhodochrosites that date from the early 1900's.