Rhodochrosite
Rose-red manganese carbonate, banded in Argentina, blood red in Colorado.
- Family
- Rhodochrosite
- Formula
- MnCO₃
- Mohs
- 3.5 to 4
- System
- Trigonal
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Science
Rhodochrosite is manganese carbonate, forming in silver veins and in the stalactites of abandoned Inca mines at Capillitas, which are sliced to show pink and white rings. Colorado's Sweet Home mine produced the Alma King, a 14 cm cherry-red crystal on display in Denver.
- Mineral
- Rhodochrosite
- Formula
- MnCO₃
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5 to 4
- Specific gravity
- 3.50 to 3.70
- Refractive index
- 1.597 to 1.817
- Lustre
- Vitreous to pearly
- Colours
- Pink, Red, Banded rose
Composition
MnCO₃. Made of Manganese, Carbon, Oxygen, with trace Calcium, Iron responsible for colour.
Origin
- ArgentinaCapillitas, banded stalactites
- United StatesSweet Home mine, Colorado, red crystals
- Peru
- South AfricaN'Chwaning
- Mexico
Filled dots are primary sources
Rarity
Banded material is available; transparent red rhombohedra from the Sweet Home mine, closed in 2004, are among the most valued mineral specimens.
- 1 Abundant
- 2 Common
- 3 Uncommon
- 4 Rare
- 5 Exceptional
Hardness
Rhodochrosite sits at 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. A steel knife will scratch it; it suits pendants and display more than rings.
Energy
Associations from crystal-healing tradition, recorded here as folklore. They are not medical claims.
Chakras
- Heart
Element
- Fire
Zodiac
- Leo
- Scorpio
Planets
- Venus
- Mars
Properties
- Self-love
- Emotional healing
- Joy
- Compassion
Lore
Argentine legend calls it the Rosa del Inca, the blood of Inca kings and queens turned to stone. It is Argentina's national gemstone and Colorado's state mineral.
Its modern practice reputation is the heart's: love directed inward first.
- Alma KingThe finest known crystal, from Sweet Home mine, 1992.
- ManganeseThe pink of manganese, as in rhodonite and morganite.