Rhodochrosite Butterfly

All of the gems in the Rhodochrosite Butterfly are from Mexico. The highlight is the 13.51 carat intense pink rhodochrosite from Potosi, Chihuahu that is the body of the butterfly. There are 31.76 carats of yellow apatite gems from Durango. The eyes are 0.10 carats of green sphene from San Quinn, Baja Norte. The butterfly also has 3.36 carats of opal from Magdalena. The 18k yellow gold Rhodochrosite Butterfly is part of a collection of 18 jeweled butterfly brooches created and designed by Elvis "Buzz" Gray and Bernadine Johnston. The butterflies were gifted to the National Gem Collection by the Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collectors.