Rhodochrosite
Species
Uncommon · MnCO₃
Manganese carbonate forming in hydrothermal veins and sedimentary manganese deposits. Its pink comes from manganese itself, and the reddest crystals are those with the least iron. The banded stalactites of the Capillitas mine in Argentina display concentric pink and white layers.
Identity
- Formula
- MnCO₃
- Chemical class
- Carbonate
- Mineral group
- Calcite, Siderite, Smithsonite
- Also known as
- Manganese spar, Inca rose (banded variety)
- Ore of
- Manganese
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Habits
- Rhombohedral, Massive, Botryoidal
- Fracture
- Uneven
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.7 g/cm³
- Luster
- Vitreous, Pearly
- Colors
- pink, red, yellow, brown
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- Transparent, Translucent
Geology
- Origins
- Hydrothermal, Sedimentary
- Host rocks
- Granite
- Associated minerals
- Pyrite, Quartz, Sphalerite, Calcite
- Found in
- Hydrothermal vein (lode)
- Geography
- Argentina (Catamarca), USA (Colorado), South Africa, Romania, Peru
Classification
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Gem quality
- Yes
Sources
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- Rhodochrosite. Mindat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Rhodochrosite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
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