Bidding for a rhodochrosite chunk discovered in Park County’s Sweet Home Mine in the 1990s will start at $8,000, according to Heritage Auctions.

CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE — The brightly colored sign along the S-curve mountain road beckons visitors to the Gemstone Mine, the “#1 ATTRACTION IN CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE!” But another sign, on the shop’s mud ...

The mine officially closed once again on Sept. 3, 2024, with Lees pulling the last of the mining gear out just a few weeks ago. He describes the upcoming sale as the end of an era.