Rhodochrosite & Quartz – Batantsi, Bulgaria | Ref. E3

Specimen overview

This rhodochrosite and quartz specimen from Batanzi, Bulgaria, forms a large mineral association dominated by pale pink-beige to salmon tones. The rhodochrosite extensively covers the surface and outlines numerous intergrown tabular forms, creating pronounced relief across the specimen.

Numerous white to translucent quartz crystals occur between these crystallisations. They develop particularly within the recesses and between the different structures.

The two views show the specimen from different angles and provide a clearer look at the arrangement of the tabular forms and the numerous groups of quartz crystals occurring between them.

Provenance

This rhodochrosite associated with quartz comes from the Batantsi Mine, in the Madan mining district, Smolyan Province, Bulgaria. It was collected in 1993.

Located in the Rhodope Mountains, the Batantsi Mine is particularly known for its rhodochrosite specimens, often associated with quartz and other minerals characteristic of the lead-zinc deposits of the Madan area.

Dimensions

The specimen measures 270 × 150 mm and weighs 2.870 kg.