Interesting Facts about Rhodochrosite with Amazing Photos
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Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral with chemical composition MnCO3. In its (rare) pure form, it is typically a rose-red color, but impure specimens can be shades of pink to pale brown.
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| Rhodochrosite avec Quartz, Fluorite et sulfures “Centennial pocket” of the Sweet Home mine in Alma, Colorado, USA Collection et photo Simone Citon |
It was first described in 1813 in reference to a sample from Cavnic, Maramure?, present-day Romania. According to Dimitrescu and Radulescu, 1966 and to Papp, 1997, this mineral was described for the first time in Sacaramb, Romania, not in Cavnic, Romania. The name is derived from the Greek word ???????? meaning rose-colored.
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| Amazing plate of Stalactites Rhodochrosite from MineSanta Rita, Argentina. credit: Rhodoholic’s Worldwide |
It streaks white, and its Mohs hardness varies between 3.5 and 4. Its specific gravity is between 3.5 and 3.7. It crystallizes in the trigonal system, and cleaves with rhombohedral carbonate cleavage in three directions.
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| Rhodochrosite‘s stalactite from Capillitas Mine, Catamarca, Argentina. Photo: gnacio Adrian Tepman |
Rhodochrosite occurs as a hydrothermal vein mineral along with other manganese minerals in low temperature ore deposits as in the silver mines of Romania where it was first found. Banded rhodochrosite is mined in Capillitas, Argentina.
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| Unusual Shape and color of Rhodochrosite from Moanda Mine, Gabon. credit: Yasu Okazaki |
Rhodochrosite forms a complete solid solution series with iron carbonate (siderite). Calcium, (as well as magnesium and zinc, to a limited extent) frequently substitutes for manganese in the structure, leading to lighter shades of red and pink, depending on the degree of substitution. It is for this reason that the most common color encountered is pink.
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Stunning Rhodochrosite Stalactite slice- from Capillitas
Mine, Catamarca, Argentina. credit: LGF Foundation, Inc. |
Its main use is as an ore of manganese which is a key component of low-cost stainless steel formulations and certain aluminium alloys.
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| Exceptionally gemmy red rhodochrosite zoned botryoidal crystals. Rare and TOP ! From N’Chwaning Mine, Northern Cape Province, South Africa credit: Le Comptoir G?ologique Amazing Geologist |
Due to its being relatively soft, and having perfect cleavage, it is very difficult to cut, and therefore rarely found faceted in jewelry.
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Stunning Rhodochrosite with chalcedony covering the surface
to form a grape-like shape (?botryoidal?, is very attractive. From (Conselheiro Lafaiete, Minas Gerais, Brazil) Copyright ? xdxu |
Rhodochrosite is Argentina’s “national gemstone“. Colorado officially named rhodochrosite as its state mineral in 2002.
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| This is one of the most beautiful Rhodochrosite I’ve ever seen from China. credit: John Veevaert |
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| Rhodochrosite on manganese oxides. Uchucchacua Mine, Peru. Photo: Martin Hingst |
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| Fabulous rosette Rhodochrosite From Huachocolpa Mine, Peru. Copyright ? xdxu |