Crystal twinning often is present. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. It is transparent to translucent with refractive indices of nω=1.814 to 1.816, nε=1.596 to 1.598. It’s often found alongside silver deposits, with some silver mines unearthing rhodochrosite and the gem essentially becoming a byproduct. Common pink rough crystals can be found in many places of the world and bright red gemmy crystals can be found from famous localities like Colorado, South Africa and Peru. It is commonly found in the form of stalactites and stalagmites in the caves of Argentina. Rhodochrosite is a highly sought after Manganese Carbonate. It streaks white, and its Mohs hardness varies between 3.5 and 4. These bands are often in concentric or zigzag patterns of alternating white and pink (or red) colors. The word Rhodochrosite is derived from a Greek word “rhodon”, which means rose, and “chroma”, which means color. Commonly occurs as a primary gangue mineral in moderate- to low-temperature hydrothermal veins, also in high-temperature metasomatic deposits and sedimentary manganese deposits or as a late stage hydrothermal mineral in pegmatites, especially lithiophilite-bearing ones. Unusual Shape and color of Rhodochrosite from Moanda Mine, Gabon. Quality banded specimens are often used for decorative stones and jewelry. Its specific gravity is between 3.5 and 3.7. Transparent red crystals are very rare, and the large red crystals found in the Sweet Home Mine are famous among mineral and gem collectors. The mine is located in the Andalgalá Department, Capillitas Province, in northwestern Argentina. The name is derived from the Greek word ῥοδόχρως meaning rose-colored[citation needed]. It is on display in the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. 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. Rhodochrosite is pink, rose to a raspberry red colour and has delicate swirling or banded patterns, similar to those found in lace agates and malachite. Notable occurrences are at Cavnic in Romania and at Butte, Montana, and Leadville, Colorado, in the United … Its specific gravity is between 3.5 and 3.7. Although Rhodochrosite is found in shades of pink, red and orangish pink, each of these colors seems unique in the gem world. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/science/rhodochrosite, Amethyst Galleries - The Mineral Rhodochrosite. It is often associated with silver deposits, and a few silver mines produce rhodochrosite as a byproduct. Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate. Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral with the chemical composition MnCO3. Rhodochrosite may be found in Argentina, Peru, Colorado, Montana, Romania and Quebec, Canada. Calcite-Rhodochrosite Series and Rhodochrosite-Siderite Series. Rhodochrosite forms a complete solid solution series with iron carbonate (siderite). Pink, rose, rose-red, red, cherry-red, yellow, yellowish gray, gray, cinnamon-brown, white, may be banded; colourless to pale rose in transmitted light. This stone is occasionally found within Silver mines and even in association with Silver ore itself. Specimens from 13th century Inca mines in Argentina are the origin of one of the more alluring names for the mineral, Inca Rose. Rhodochrosite. Specimens from the Wolf Mine are very difficult to obtain. Due to few known locations that produce well formed crystals, these crystals when found are considered rare and quite valuable for aesthetic purposes. The formation of rhodochrosite usually occurs in fractures and cavities of metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Banded rhodochrosite is mined in Capillitas, Argentina. The most famous locality in the world for superb rhodochrosite crystals is the Sweet Home Mine, located near the community of Alma, Colorado. Rhodochrosite is a manganese mineral related to the ubiquitous mineral calcium carbonate, or, calcite (common limestone is made up primarily of calcite).The calcite group of minerals includes pure calcite, dolomite, magnesite, siderite, and smithsonite, and several others. Magnesium, iron, and calcium are generally partially substituted for manganese, pure rhodochrosite being relatively rare; rhodochrosite forms a partial solid-solution (chemical substitution) series with calcite and with siderite in which calcium and iron, respectively, replace manganese in the crystal structure. Other sources include Chile, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and the USA. Exhibit in La Plata Museum, La Plata, Argentina. It is commonly found in ore veins formed at moderate temperatures, in high-temperature metamorphic deposits, and in sedimentary deposits. Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, "Colorado State Archives; Symbols & Emblems", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rhodochrosite&oldid=997730334, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. The Sweet Home Mine housed some of the largest rhodochrosite crystals that had ever been found. Mined since Incan times, the polymetallic sulphide veins at the Capillitas Mine were worked in the 17th century for silver, and later for lead and zinc. It was named the state mineral in mineral-rich Colorado in 2002, since some rare large red crystals have been found at the famous Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado. It was first described in 1813 in reference to a sample from Cavnic, Maramureş, 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. Corrections? Rhodochrosite is transparent to translucent with a vitreous to pearly luster. Rhodochrosite occurs in massive, granular, botryoidal, nodular or stalactitic habits, but it occasionally forms prismatic, tabular or rhombohedral crystals, and is translucent to opaque. With such a simple chemical make up, MnCO 3, Rhodochrosite is found all over the earth. It contains over 3000 rhodochrosite specimens, measures almost 3 meters across and represents the largest rhodochrosite pocket ever discovered at the Sweet Home Mine. A short interview with the owner of the only banded rhodochrosite mine can be watched here: Video Abundant at Butte, Montana, and other localities, rhodochrosite is sometimes mined as an ore of … At Mont Saint-Hilaire, rhodochrosite is a common late-stage mineral in pegmatites and altered pegmatites. Specimen mined near Silverton, Colorado. Rhodochrosite is found in hydrothermal ore veins with sphalerite, galena, fluorite, and manganese oxides. credit: Yasu Okazaki In its (rare) pure form, it is typically a rose-red color, but impure specimens can be shades of pink to pale brown. It is commonly found in ore veins formed at moderate temperatures, in high-temperature metamorphic deposits, and in sedimentary deposits. ATTRIBUTES: A crystal known for its balancing and loving energetic vibrations, Rhodochrosite is a wonderful healer on all levels. Notable occurrences are at Cavnic in Romania and at Butte, Montana, and Leadville, Colorado, in the United States. For detailed physical properties, see carbonate mineral (table). Rhodochrosite is most commonly light red or pink and is usually cut as cabochons or carved. It is often confused with the manganese silicate, rhodonite, but is distinctly softer. Rhodochrosite is commonly associated with fluorite, quartz, … MnCO. Some crystals up to 10cm have been found, however, these large crystals are generally with unattractive coloration and transparency. Small Rhodochrosite specimen featured in a mineral kit, from Wuton mine, Guangxi prov, China. It most commonly forms in hydrothermal veins associated with silver, copper and lead sulfides. The Sweet Home Mine was a Silver mine that opened in the 1870s and closed around the 1960s. Banded rhodochrosite is mined in Capillitas, Argentina. However, it’s incredibly rare to find it in well-formed rhodochrosite … It is commonly found as a mineral in hydrothermic ore deposits, principally deposits with silver, lead, zinc and copper. The pink color of rhodochrosite is caused by the element manganese and it is formed when manganese is dissolved by ground water and combines with a carbonate material and then drips off the ceiling of … A classic European locality for Rhodochrosite is the Wolf Mine in Herdorf, Siegerland, Germany, where Rhodochrosite formed in botryoidal aggregatess and in long, pointed, terminated crystals. It also occurs in metamorphic deposits and as a secondary mineral in sedimentary manganese deposits. The pink color of rhodochrosite is caused by the element manganese and it is formed when manganese is dissolved by ground water and combines with a carbonate material and then drips off the ceiling of caves and crevices deep underground. It is found in a small number of locations worldwide where … It is for this reason that the most common color encountered is pink. It … Omissions? Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral with chemical composition MnCO3. 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. Rhodochrosite, mineral, composed of manganese carbonate (MnCO 3 ), that is a source of manganese for the ferromanganese alloys used in steel production. Light pink Rhodochrosite crystals have come from Kapnik, Maramures Co., Romania. Rhodochrosite crystals are also found in Romania and Hungary. Repeated episodes of crystallization allow it to build up in layers on t… 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. Updates? Rhodochrosite is Argentina's "national gemstone". In metamorphic rocks, rhodochrosite is found as a vein and fracture-filling mineral where it precipitates from ascending hydrothermal solutions. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... A sample of rhodochrosite, trigonal manganese carbonate, from N'Chwaning Mine in Kuruman, Northern Cape province, S.Af. Rhodochrosite is now considered as the official state mineral of Colorado. Its value now resides almost entirely in the quality of its hot pink and deep red specimens, which are sought after by collectors and command extremely high prices. Rhombohedral and scalenohedral crystals; also commonly bladed, columnar, stalactitic, botryoidal, granular or massive. Manganese carbonate is extremely destructive to the amalgamation process used in the concentration of silver ores, and were often discarded on the mine dump. Rhodochrosite was first described in 1813 based on a sample from Romania. Later, in 1992, the largest rhodochrosite crystal was found in the Sweet Home Mine that was famously named the “Alma King”, a single crystal measuring 15 cm (7). “Rhodochrosite” is a manganese carbonate mineral with chemical composition MnCO 3. Buying Rhodochrosite and Determining Rhodochrosite Gemstone Value Back to Top The banded specimens tend to be found in the Capillitas Mine in Catamarca, Argentina. [4][5] Colorado officially named rhodochrosite as its state mineral in 2002. Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral with chemical composition MnCO3. Rhodochrosite, mineral, composed of manganese carbonate (MnCO3), that is a source of manganese for the ferromanganese alloys used in steel production. The word Rhodochrosite is derived from a Greek word “rhodon”, which means rose, and “chroma”, which means color. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Rhodochrosite is a member of the Calcite Group of minerals that includes Calcite, Gaspeite, Magnesite, Otavite, Rhodochrosite, Siderite, Smithsonite and Spherocobaltite. It crystallizes in the trigonal system, and cleaves with rhombohedral carbonate cleavage in three directions. While rhodochrosite has been discovered in mines in many different locations, the most famous sites are in Argentina and Colorado. It is officially listed as one of the National symbols of Argentina. It is found in Argentina, Peru, Colorado and Montana, U.S, and Quebec, Canada. The transparent red forms large enough to be cut into gemstones are extremely valuable and cherished by rare gemstone connoisseurs. In its (rare) pure form, it is typically a rose-red color, but impure specimens can be shades of pink to pale brown. Rhodochrosite has a lovely natural pink to red color. The Alma Rose specimen from the Sweet Home Mine in Alma, CO. It streaks white, and its Mohs hardness varies between 3.5 and 4. It was opened in 1873 as a silver mine and was worked on and off for silver until the 1960s. Located at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro, OR. [6], It is sometimes called "Rosa del Inca", "Inca Rose" or Rosinca. Its main use is as an ore of manganese, which is a key component of low-cost stainless steel formulations and certain aluminium alloys. It was later named the official Colorado State mineral on April 17, 2002 (6). Topaz and rhodochrosite only make up a small part of the absolutely bewildering array of different minerals and crystals which inhabit Colorado. Hurlbut, Cornelius S.; Klein, Cornelis, 1985, This page was last edited on 1 January 2021, at 23:33. The main rhodochrosite deposits are in Argentina. It occurs mainly as massive aggregates or in granular, botryoidal, nodular or stalactitic forms, though rare, transparent rhombohedral and scalenohedral crystals are found. It crystallizes in the trigonal system, and cleaves with rhombohedral carbonate cleavage in three directions. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Rhodochrosite (whose name means rose-colored) often forms pink and white bands. Lower grade rhodochrosite from mines in Argentina displays alternate bands of color like agate. The Alma King is the largest known rhodochrosite crystal; it was found in the Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado. Some of the common modes of occurrence and their lapidary uses are described below. Rhodochrosite forms in hydro thermal veins of copper, lead and silver mines, and as secondary deposits in … [7], "The Searchlight," Large red rhodochrosite from Sweet Home Mine, Alma, Colorado, Rhodochrosite with fluorite, tetrahedrite and quartz, Pink is the most common color of Rhodochrosite. Rhodochrosite is found in Romania, Mexico, Argentina, Africa, Russia, Japan, and in the USA – Montana and Colorado. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Rhodochrosite is the National Stone for the country of Argentina and was voted state mineral of Colorado in 2002. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Known rhodochrosite deposits around the world include The United States (Colorado & Montana), Argentina, Peru, South Africa (Karuman), Russia, Mexico, Romania, Japan and Gabon. Crystal twinning often is present. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Other minerals such as amethyst, smoky quartz, sapphire, amazonite, opals, jaspers, and a wide variety of … It is transparent to translucent with refractive indicesof nω=1.814 to 1.8… The rhodochrosite gemstone tends to form in the cavities of sedimentary and metamorphic rock. 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