Rhodochrosite

Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral. In its (rare) pure form, it is typically a rose-red color, but impure specimens can be shades of pink to pale brown. It streaks white. It crystallizes in the trigonal system, and cleaves with rhombohedral carbonate cleavage in three directions.Crystal twinning often is present. It is transparent to translucent with refractive indices. It is often confused with the manganese silicate, rhodonite, but is distinctly softer..Rhodochrosite occurs as a hydrothermal vein mineral along with other manganese minerals in low temperature ore deposits.Cut cross-sections reveal concentric bands of light and dark rose colored layers. These specimens are carved and used for many ornamental purposes.

There are no images.