Rhodochrosite Pendant

This large pendant, nearly square and on its point, was set in India. 26086282
If you would like to see deep see-through pink "candy" versions of this stone please visit our stores.

The Capillitas mine in North Eastern Argentina has been mined since the times of the Incas and is the only place in the world where gigantic Rhodochrosite stalactites and stalagmites have been found. In the pre-Columbian XIII Century, what is now Northern Argentina, was part of the Inca Empire. The mines in the region yielded silver and copper and during the rule of Inca Ripac (also called Viracocha, a beautiful red coloured gemstone was discovered. When the Inca Empire started its downfall and the Incas retired, the mine was abandoned. In 1938 it was rediscovered by German born Franz Mansfeld who in the process also unearthed an Inca tomb which housed amongst other things, Rhodochrosite funerary jewellery. It then became known as Inca Rose.
Early in its history of use as a gemstone, rhodochrosite was called astorite after Col. John Jacob Astor IV who died on the Titanic and was the owner of the Toltec mine in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The mine was sealed after his death, and reopened 90 years later in 2001.



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