The Wutong Collection: Rhodochrosite With Fluorite & Quartz

A commanding cabinet-size specimen from the Wutong Mine, Liubao, Cangwu County, Guangxi, China — celebrated for producing some of the world’s most graceful associations of rhodochrosite, fluorite, and quartz.

This piece displays a sweeping layer of sparkling pink rhodochrosite crystals, delicately draped over a foundation of clear to white quartz. The quartz forms the structural base, while the rhodochrosite adds a soft texture that catches light from every direction. Scattered throughout the surface are sharp, purple  and wine-colored fluorite cubes resting atop the rhodochrosite, providing vivid contrast and depth. The reverse reveals a complex face with traces of iron-oxide and sulfide tones covering a blanket of cubic fluorite.

Mounted on a custom-fit, museum-grade acrylic base, this piece balances scale with refinement — an exceptional showcase of Wutong’s distinctive mineral palette.

Details:

• Locality: Wutong Mine, Liubao, Cangwu Co., Wuzhou Prefecture, Guangxi, China
• Weight (crystal only): 2.02 lbs
• Weight (with base): 2.11 lbs
• Crystal Dimensions: 7.8 × 6.0 × 1.5 in
• Base Dimensions: 4.8 × 2.8 × 1.4 in
• Includes: Custom-fitted clear acrylic base

Geological Note: The minerals of the Wutong Mine formed when hot, metal-bearing fluids circulated through ancient limestone layers. As the fluids cooled, quartz crystals formed first, lining open cavities. Rhodochrosite later coated these quartz surfaces, creating the soft pink druse that defines the mine’s aesthetic. In the final stages, changing chemistry allowed fluorite to crystallize on top of the rhodochrosite — its vivid purple cubes adding a striking accent to the pastel backdrop.

This progression of layers records shifting conditions deep underground, preserving a vivid story of color, chemistry, and time.