Mineralpedia Details for Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite
Named for the Greek rhodon, meaning “rose” and chrosis, meaning “coloring.” Rhodochrosite is found in low-temperature to mid-temperature hydrothermal vein deposits, metamorphic rock, commonly in carbonatites, in sediments either as an authigenic or secondary mineral, and occasionally in granite pegmatites. Hundreds of widespread localities, but fine crystals may be found in Romania, Germany, Russia, Canada, the USA, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, South Africa, and Japan.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/rhodochrosite.pdf
- Formula
- MnCO3
- Crystal System
- Trigonal
- Crystal Habit
- Massive - Granular, Columnar, Botryoidal
- Cleavage
- Perfect, Perfect, Perfect
- Luster
- Vitreous (Glassy)
- Color
- pinkish red, red, rose red, yellowish gray, brown
- Streak
- white
- Class
- Trigonal - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
- Fracture
- Brittle - Conchoidal
- Hardness
- 3
- WebMineral
- View Rhodochrosite
- Mindat
- View Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite from Haut-Ogooue, Gabon
Cherry red scalenohedral crystals to 5mm.
Rhodochrosite from American Tunnel, Silverton, San Juan Co., Colorado, United States
Pink aggregates to 1.4cm on quartz matrix and light pink discoidal crystals to 3mm and rhombohedral crystals to over 1cm.
Rhodochrosite from N'Chwaning II mine, Kalahari Mn fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Deep red glassy intergrown semi-spherical aggregate composed of sharp, less than 1mm scalenohedra with pinacoidal terminations oriented in one direction.
Large thumbnail divergent group at least twelve deep glassy red scalenohedral crystals to 2cm.
Rhodochrosite from Santa Rita Mine, Morococha District, Yauli Province, Junín Department, Peru
Light red rhombs to 4mm covering this specimen.
Rhodochrosite from Pachapaqui dist, Bolognesi prov., Ancash dept., Peru
Excellent specimen with translucent, rich pink rhomb's to 7mm and light frosted rhombs to 5-10mm.
Rhodochrosite from Uchucchacua mine, Oyon Province, Lima dept., Peru
Deep red, glassy scalenohedral crystals to 9mm.
Rhodochrosite from Simms lode, Geevor mine, Pendeen, St. Just, Cornwall, England
Light pink rosettes composed of saddle-shaped rhombohedra to 3mm on Quartz crystals. The Quartz seems to be coated with a brushing of light green Nontronite clay.
Rhodochrosite from Mendip Hills, Somerset, England
Light pink botryoidal crystals to 3mm in vug in manganese oxide mineral.
Rhodochrosite from Herdorf, Siegen, Westphalia, Germany
Rhombic red crystals to 1cm.
Rhodochrosite from Sweet Home mine, near Alma, Park Co., Colorado, United States
Beautiful, almost gemmy, deep red rhombohedral crystals to 1cm.
Rhodochrosite from Davidkovo, Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria
- Special Info
- Phillips Collection
Pink rosettes of Rhodochrosite to 5mm with Quartz and a little Chalcopyrite.
Rhodochrosite from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville Co., Québec, Canada
An exceptionally large, dark pink Rhodochrosite crystal that has an odd trigonal form, possibly a modification or exaggerated pinnacoidal face on the edge of a rhomb.
