The Sweet Home Mine in Alma, Colorado, that has been responsible for producing the most sought-after Rhodochrosite crystals in the world, has closed for good. The 132 year old mine was originally a silver mine, and for many years earlier miners gave little heed to the red crystals scattered at their feet.
Finally the world came to understand rhodochrosite, and during the prior century, the mine's rights were purchased by Bryan Lees, who bought the mine to find rhodochrosite, not silver. His most successful years were said to be from 1998-2002. In fact, there was so much good material coming from the mine during that period, that they worked through the winter, in the rugged Rocky Mountains.
In 2003 Mr. Lees had been seeing signs that the mine was nearing an end when he tried to prospect a fault zone and discovered it had already been taken. This lead him to close the mine for good near the end of last year. The Sweet Home Mine, and the beautiful rhodochrosite crystals she contributed to the marketplace were like no other, and will be missed by all gem lovers alike.
