Argentine Rhodochrosite Gold Fill Wrapped Pendant (JA502)
An Argentine Rhodochrosite cab finely wrapped in 14/20 gold filled wire.
The pendant measures 2" long by 1" wide.
Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral with chemical composition MnCO3. In its (rare) pure form, it is typically a rose-red color, but impure specimens can be shades of pink to pale brown.
Rhodochrosite occurs as a hydrothermal vein mineral along with other manganese minerals in low temperature ore deposits as in the silver mines of Romania where it was first found. Banded rhodochrosite is mined in Capillitas, Argentina formed in stalactites and stalagmites.
Gold-filled wire consists of a layer of karat gold bonded to a base metal using heat and pressure. 14/20 GF is the designation for 14 Karat Gold-Filled. The 14 refers to the karat of the layer of precious metal bonded to the base metal. The 1/20th indicates the ratio of karat gold to base metal by weight (5%). Gold-Filled wire is significantly advantageous from a cost stand point. It allows you to provide the look and durability of solid karat products at a fraction of the cost.
Gold-Filled items will have the same appearance and can last years. It should not be compared to gold-plated materials. Plated products have a fraction of the layer of gold and do not wear nearly as well.