Rhodocrosite matched earring cab pair, handmade, natural edge,VG polish. #5

Description

This matched pair of stalactite slices have their natural edges and both sides nicely polished.  The measurements are at widest points and vary to a small degree but should be easily set.  They are a soft stone and extreme care taken since they are so thin.  I have wire wrapped this size and thickness with no problems but did so very carefully.
I believe the pair to be a grade AA with the nice rose-red color and translucency;  AAA is reserved for the very best,  AA for very good and A as good.
Photo 1 is an enlargement of photo 2 as well as photo 3 is of 4.
Sorry the photos are not as sharp as I like but if you have a "color wheel" (I have a Joel Wolframs 24 step color wheel) and this pair comes in at "magenta #17-22" as their true color
RHODOCROSITE:  a manganese carbonate (MnCo3 [the 3 is supposed to be tiny at the bottom]) with a beautiful rosy red color but can range from shades of light pink into pale brown.  It is fairly soft at 3.5-4 on the Mohs scale of hardness.  I first came into contact with it in Tucson, Az. in 1996 during their yearly gem and mineral shows through the Rhodo Company sales tent where they had barrels and tables full of stalactites and flowstone.  I wanted to buy a barrel full but was told they were all sold and had to pick from the tables.  A few stones and several dollars later I was hooked to return time and again and have not regretted it.