"Sweet Home" Rhodochrosite

[shinyrocks]

Does anyone know of a good source for rhodochrosite from the famed "Sweet Home" mine? I am looking for a nice faceted (well-cut) example to add to my collection and haven't had much luck.

Thanks!

 

[elle_71125]

How about The Gem Trader?
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Gems HR Page 4.htm
Page 4 has some rhodochrosites.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

I'd start with Brett from Kosnar Gem Co: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KosnarGemCo?ref=l2-shopheader-name&search_query=Rhodochrosite. Maybe sent him an email. I know he's had some museum quality ones in the past.

 

[elle_71125]

@SparkliesLuver I was just looking through his site last night because @StephanieLynn posted that he was having a sale. Of course, my eyes dropped to this guy immediately because that color is gorgeous...then I read the price tag.

I'm just left wondering when my tastes became so expensive.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

hahahahahahaha I feel your pain, Elle.

 

[shinyrocks]

Ooooo. Thanks guys! I saw the ones on the Gem Trader's site but was hoping for something larger. The color is to die for though! That 1+ ct. oval in particular. Whoa! Brett has some monster pieces. Very nice, but the ones I might like are WAY out of budget. I checked with Jeff White (my personal fave precision cutter), and he does have some African material but nothing from Sweet Home. Thanks for the great suggestions so far! I might reach out to the Gem Trader to see if they expect any larger pieces in the near future, since the color and cutting of those is quite nice.

 

[chatoyancy]

There is one on djrararegems.com. They are on the recommended vendor list. It’s 2 carats.

 

[chatoyancy]

Ooooo. Thanks guys! I saw the ones on the Gem Trader's site but was hoping for something larger. The color is to die for though! That 1+ ct. oval in particular. Whoa! Brett has some monster pieces. Very nice, but the ones I might like are WAY out of budget. I checked with Jeff White (my personal fave precision cutter), and he does have some African material but nothing from Sweet Home. Thanks for the great suggestions so far! I might reach out to the Gem Trader to see if they expect any larger pieces in the near future, since the color and cutting of those is quite nice.

Ooooo. Thanks guys! I saw the ones on the Gem Trader's site but was hoping for something larger. The color is to die for though! That 1+ ct. oval in particular. Whoa! Brett has some monster pieces. Very nice, but the ones I might like are WAY out of budget. I checked with Jeff White (my personal fave precision cutter), and he does have some African material but nothing from Sweet Home. Thanks for the great suggestions so far! I might reach out to the Gem Trader to see if they expect any larger pieces in the near future, since the color and cutting of those is quite nice.

Did you find one? How is your quest going?

 

[shinyrocks]

Did you find one? How is your quest going?

Thanks for checking! Still on the hunt. Thanks for the reference to DJRaregems. I love the color of that 2 ct. but am not crazy about the cut. I think I'm leaning toward a cushion or oval. The one right above that 2 ct. piece is a great size, and I lovely the pillowy shape, but it is pretty badly windowed.

I'll keep you guys posted if I find anything. You've been super helpful so far!

 

[chatoyancy]

Thanks for checking! Still on the hunt. Thanks for the reference to DJRaregems. I love the color of that 2 ct. but am not crazy about the cut. I think I'm leaning toward a cushion or oval. The one right above that 2 ct. piece is a great size, and I lovely the pillowy shape, but it is pretty badly windowed.

I'll keep you guys posted if I find anything. You've been super helpful so far!

Definitely keep us posted! I’d love to see what you find. We don’t see many transparent rhodochrosites on here. If you find something that’s “almost right” on a website, you should definitely contact the vendor to see if they have what you want, but haven't put it on their website.

 

[T L]

If you're buying to keep in a gem box, that's fine. If setting in jewelry, be careful as it's a softer stone.

 

[AllAboutACarat]

I have one that I got a few months ago from a Japanese website. The price is a bit dear but I'd say it's worth it (the cutting is excellent and the clarity is VVS). If you're still interested I can send you the link of the website (all in Japanese though but I can help you if you need help). Here is the one that I got.


It's 1.77 ct and completely eye clean, just getting rarer and rarer nowadays.