Here is a wonderful slice of rhodochrosite from Argentina that has sharp bull's eye bands of red, pink, white, and silver gray. The rhodochrosite was deposited in hydrothermal veins in thin layers and multiple rings, and the thin stripes of color are characteristic of rhodochrosite that grew as annual growth rings in the form of stalactites and flow stone.  The site was mined by the Incas, who believed that rhodochrosite was the blood of their ancestors, thus the color name "Inca rose".  The mine was closed in the early 2000s.  This highly aesthetic display piece has been polished on both sides to show the interior color banding, and is very impressive when backlit. It is a fine classic stalactitic rhodochrosite specimen from this pre-Conquistador mine.