mineral

Rhodochrosite

Manganese Carbonate (MnCO3)

Hardness: 3.5-4.0 (Mohs); Color: Rose-red to pink; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (often rhombohedral); Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral; Specific Gravity: 3.5-3.7

Hardness: 3
Color: Rose-red to pink
Luster: Vitreous to pearly

Identified June 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3.5-4.0 (Mohs); Color: Rose-red to pink; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (often rhombohedral); Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral; Specific Gravity: 3.5-3.7

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins with other manganese minerals, often in low-temperature ore deposits. Key formations date back to various geological periods including the Tertiary.

Uses & applications

Primary source of manganese; highly prized by mineral collectors; used in jewelry (cabochons) and as decorative ornamental stone.

Geological facts

Also known as the 'Inca Rose' as the Incas believed it was the solidified blood of their ancestral rulers. It is the state mineral of Colorado.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive pink/red color and reaction to warm hydrochloric acid (effervescence). Found in the Sweet Home Mine (USA), South Africa, and Argentina.