mineral

Rhodochrosite

Manganese carbonate (MnCO3)

Hardness: 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Color: rosy-pink, red, yellowish-grey, or brown. Luster: vitreous to pearly. Crystal structure: trigonal. Cleavage: perfect rhombohedral in three directions. Specific Gravity: 3.4 to 3.7.

Hardness: 3
Color: rosy-pink, red, yellowish-grey, or brown
Luster: vitreous to pearly

Identified July 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins at low to moderate temperatures, often associated with silver, lead, and copper minerals. It can also form in metamorphic rocks or as a secondary mineral in sedimentary deposits.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as an ornamental stone, a gemstone for jewelry (cabochons), and as an ore of manganese. It is also highly prized by mineral collectors.

Geological facts

Known as the "Inca Rose," the Incas believed it was the solidified blood of their former kings. It is the official state mineral of Colorado, USA, where the finest cherry-red rhombohedral crystals are found.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its pink color, rhombohedral cleavage, and its reaction (effervescence) to warm dilute hydrochloric acid. Commonly found in Argentina, Peru, South Africa, and the Sweet Home Mine in Colorado.