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Rhodochrosite (Manganesespar)

Big Photo

China
3.02 carats
© Palagems

Rhodochrosite (Greek - rose coloured) is usually raspberry red and pink colour. The aggregates are light-dark stripes with zigzag bands. Transparent crystals are rare.

Rhodochrosite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 

Rhodochrosite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Rhodochrosite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.30 cts
Heaviest:8.11 cts
Average:4.06 cts
Total photos:18
Do you have a larger Rhodochrosite? Why not upload a photo?
0.30ct to 1.08ct1.08ct to 1.86ct1.86ct to 2.64ct2.64ct to 3.42ct3.42ct to 4.20ct4.20ct to 4.99ct4.99ct to 5.77ct5.77ct to 6.55ct6.55ct to 7.33ct7.33ct to 8.11ct
General Information
Chemical Formula
Mn
2+
 
CO
 
3
Michael ODonoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Physical Properties of Rhodochrosite
Mohs Hardness4
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Specific Gravity3.45 to 3.70
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
TenacityBrittle
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Cleavage QualityPerfect
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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FractureUneven,Conchoidal
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Optical Properties of Rhodochrosite
Refractive Index1.580 to 1.820
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Optical CharacterUniaxial/-
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
Birefringence0.208 to 0.220
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) DoublingMore from other references
PleochroismDistinct: pinkish-red - colorless/light pink
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Dispersion0.015
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
Colour
Colour (General)Rose-red, red, brownish-red, yellowish-red
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) Circular banding of lighter and darker colourMore from other references
Causes of ColourPink to red, Mn2+ in octahedral coordination, with minor Fe2+ Mn3+ in octahedral coordination
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent,Opaque
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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LustreVitreous,Resinous
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Under both forms of UV there is a pink response from the mineral as a whole though individual specimens may not show much.
Michael ODonoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Fluorescence (Long-Wave UV)Inert to yellow
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Crystallography of Rhodochrosite
Crystal SystemTrigonal
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
HabitCommonly aggregates with botryoidal forms
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
Geological Environment
Where found:Rhodochrosite occurs as a primary mineral in low- to moderate-temperature hydrothermal veins, also in metamorphic deposits and in carbonatites.
Michael ODonoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Spectrographic Data
Calculated Spectra:
Click spectra for more information
Rhodochrosite - Locality: Unknown
Further Information
Mineral information:Rhodochrosite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Argentina
 
  • Catamarca Province
Saadi and Grasso (1992)
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 443
Japan
 
  • Hokkaidō Prefecture
    • Shiribeshi Subprefecture
      • Furubira District
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 443
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
      • Mogok Township
        • Kyatpyin North
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Kyauk-Pyat-That
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Peru
 
  • Áncash
    • Pallasca Province
      • Pampas District
        • Pasto Bueno
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 443
South Africa
 
  • Northern Cape
    • Kalahari manganese field
      • Hotazel
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 443
      • Kuruman
        • N'Chwaning Mines
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 443
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 443
USA
 
  • Colorado
    • Park County
      • Alma Mining District
        • Mount Bross
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 443
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