Rhodochrosite with Fluorite from Urad Mine, Dailey District, Clear Creek County, Colorado

Ex Richard A. Kosnar Collection

Rare Locality

The Urad mine produced molybdenum from 1914 until 1919. During World War 2 Molycorp controlled the property but there seems to have been little or no production. AMAX gained control of the property in 1963 and began extensive exploration that resulted in the discovery of the blind Henderson orebody in 1964. AMAX began production from URAD in 1967 and exhausted the orebody in 1974 after extracting nearly 14 mt with an average grade of 0.35%.

For all you Rhodochrosite collectors, this is a rarity. I have only come across several specimens from this locality. This specimen consists of two inter-grown cherry red xls with a minor coating of pink micro rhodochrosite and pyrite xls. The major rhombs display altered or stepped faces. Also found on the faces of the two rhombs are purple micro fluorite xls, a bit of quartz and possibly apatite. A unique specimen with a good pedigree from a long closed locale. No damage. Enjoy!