RHODOCHROSITE-JULIE FISK MINE LEADVILLE CO

Julia Fiske Mine is a lead mine located in Lake county, Colorado, at an elevation of 10,801 feet. Julia Fisk Mine is one of the more notable specimen producing mines in the Leadville District, especially since it was one of the few Leadville mines to produce Rhodochrosite. This specimen hosts dozens of sharp, cuboctahedra of silvery Galena associated with small striated pyritohedra of golden Pyrite, plus some small black groups of highly modified Sphalerite crystals on tan “discs” of Siderite matrix. Perhaps the two most interesting aspects of the piece are the smaller crystals, i.e., dozens of the most unusual scepter habit Quartz crystals resembling “nail heads”. Lastly, and as mentioned above, small compressed rhombohedra of pale pink Rhodochrosite can be seen on the reverse side of the specimen, making this a wonderful association specimen with a minimum of seven species present. The Leadville mining district was the most productive silver-mining region in Colorado. Rhodochrosite is a fairly rare stone, so many specimens are more costly. Color plays the largest role in rhodochrosite price, followed by clarity for the transparent variety. The highest-value rhodochrosite Rhodochrosite is a fairly rare stone, so many specimens are more costly. Color plays the largest role in rhodochrosite price, followed by clarity for the transparent variety. The highest-value rhodochrosite stones are translucent or transparent, medium red.